BRADFORD, PA – The City of Bradford Police Department posted a message to their Facebook page Saturday morning addressing an assault investigation involving the Bradford Area School District.
Various allegations and rumors have been circulating on social media involving an incident at the high school earlier in the week, but police caution patience while they continue their investigation.
We reached District Superintendent Katy Pude by phone on Saturday and she says the rumors about the incident have been greatly exaggerated, and they are upsetting not just the kids directly involved but other students at the school.
"Social media has reported that a violent gang rape occurred, which we are confident never happened," she said. "In fact, a rape never occurred at all. These are juveniles, and this information presented on social media is only hurting those students, as well as the entire student body."
Pudy says school officials are cooperating with police and the district attorney's office as the investigation continues.
The complete text of the Bradford Police statement is as follows:
The City of Bradford Police along with the Bradford Area School District Administration are investigating an assault that occurred earlier in the week. We have been working closely with the district administration and are confident that appropriate protocols are being followed to ensure the safety of all students and faculty. We are following social media posts and are aware of the allegations being made many of which are untrue. It is important that the public understand that many investigations are not made public due to local, state, and federal laws. This release is being made to advise the public that we are fully aware and quite comfortable there is not a risk to the students or faculty due to this isolated incident.
Later in the day, in an effort to tamp down rumors that continued to swirl around social media, the police issued this follow-up statement:
We would like to inform the public that the outcry is heard. However, we would like to remind people that this case involves juveniles and the laws governing them are far drastically different than those for adults. We must also remember that the victim in this case is highly effected by those who misrepresent the facts. The other students in the school are effected as well as this wrong information comes out and negative comments are posted. We fully support the legal process as those accused in this shall face all the same rights as given by the Constitution. The officer was notified of an incident after school concluded and responded immediately. He took statements from the victim and also interviewed witnesses and suspects. From the onset the district attorney has been involved and consulted about the investigation. At this time, we want to dispel the rumors of a violent gang rape that many of you are referring to. THIS DID NOT ever take place and we are confident in that. We will continue to follow the laws and policies pertaining to any future releases. We will not deviate and ask that the public for that understanding
