JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — 6 News has learned that Upper Yoder Police are investigating three sexual assault cases reported to the department in the last two months involving students at Hiram G. Andrews Center in suburban Johnstown.
Call Summary Reports, obtained through a right-to-know request, show that the calls regarding sexual assaults were dated February 9, March 10, and March 20. Upper Yoder Police Chief Donald Hess said all the cases were reported by female students.
Specific details of what has been alleged is not known, as the information has been redacted in the records obtained through the right-to know request. The call logs show the February 9 case was first reported to the State Police barracks in York, the other two cases were reported directly from Hiram G. Andrews Center to Upper Yoder Police.
This comes as police have arrested eight students for four incidents over the past two months from the state-run vocational rehab facility on Goucher Street. The charges , which range from trespassing and vandalism to assault and having a gun on campus, have raised concerns in Upper Yoder Township and with police about what is going on at the school.
No charges have been filed yet in the sexual assault cases, but the investigations remain open. Hess said Wednesday he will consult with the district attorney on at least two of the cases. (UPDATE: On Thursday, Hess confirmed that the February 9 case has now been closed and no charges will be filed, citing a lack of evidence. The March 10 and March 20 case are still active.)
Hess also said he met with leadership at Hiram G. Andrews to discuss the increase in criminal activity involving students and asked to be apart of the school's threat assessment team that determines if an applicant student could be a danger to the community. Hess said the meeting went well and school leadership liked the idea, but adding him to that board would require approval from the state that has not been received yet.
We reached out to The Department of Labor & Industry, which runs the school, for comment about these investigations. Theresa Elliott, Deputy Communications Director, gave us the following statement.
Providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff is a top priority for Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC).HGAC educates the student community about sexual assaults and date rape through a mandatory student orientation process, literature, and sexual assault education offered by the Center’s Counseling and Student Life Departments.Victims of sexual assault can file a report with the local police department and with HGAC’s security officers who are available at the center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. if an assault is reported to HGAC’s security officers, local police will be notified.While we are aware of recent allegations that have been filed with law enforcement, privacy laws prevent us from commenting on or discussing active investigations.ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfpbyttcKeZKKmpprAtbXGmquippdiwam%2BxJ5krJ2oqq6tecCsqpqtnKl6pK3SnqpmmaRitaq%2BwKZkoGWRo7GzsdasZJydnqmysw%3D%3D