Principal Of Chester County School Arrested For Corruption Of Minors
WESTTOWN, Pa. (CBS) – The principal of a private school in Chester County has been arrested on charges he exchanged inappropriate and sexually explicit text messages, emails and phone calls with a teenage girl.
Sixty-two-year-old George James Symonds, of Wilmington, was arrested on Friday, July 3, 2015 after an investigation into his relationship with a teen girl who was a student at the Concept School in Thornbury Township, where the suspect was Head of School and a teacher.
According to officials, the victim, who was between 14 and 15 years old between spring 2014 and winter 2015 when the incidents occurred, stated that Symonds exchanged daily texts, emails and phone calls with her. He also reportedly told the girl he loved her, invited her to meet in the bathroom and "hug" on numerous occasions and would tell the girl "not to fight the love." Symonds also allegedly cupped the victim's buttocks with his hands, "taught the victim how to masturbate," and urged her to delete all electronic communications between the two and not to tell anyone of their relationship because he knew he could go to jail if people found out.
"This defendant is every parent's nightmare. Sexual predators try to find a way to get access to children. Unfortunately, a Head of School is in a prime position to exercise control over and manipulate children. Children should be safe at school, not subject to sexual abuse by somebody who is in a position of trust," said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.
Officials say Symonds was a teacher at the school beginning in 2004 and became "Head of School," which is equivalent to principal, in 2012. Previously, he taught at schools in Massachusetts and Delaware County, Pa.
Symonds has since been terminated from his position at the school.
Anyone with information should call Westtown-East Goshen police at 610-692-9600.
