Crime & Safety
Upper St. Clair Hazing Videos, Pictures Reveal Pain, Welts, Laughing
The paddling may be done by upperclassmen as part of an 'initiation' ceremony.
UPDATE (Friday, 6:45 p.m.): One Upper St. Clair parent has shared her story (on video) with Patch. You can see and hear her five-minute interview above.
UPDATE (Friday, 2:30 p.m.):
Patch Editor Bob Healy watched some of the paddling videos on Friday. Two videos showed boys being struck on the naked buttocks with a long and wide stick. It is not clear what kind of stick this was.
The victims appeared to be in pain, with one of them letting out a loud grunt after being struck a second time. A small crowd of boys can be heard on the videos laughing after the paddling.
Healy also viewed multiple photos of injuries. The photos showed numerous bruises, redness and welts.
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UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - Several parents have made complaints to the Upper St. Clair Township Police Department, alleging that their sons have been victims of an initiation ceremony that involves incoming Upper St. Clair High School freshmen being spanked by upperclassmen.
The incidents are being filmed and shared by those conducting the spankings, the parents say.
One mother said that her daughter is now in possession of one of the videos and has watched it. The mother cannot bring herself to watch the video, though, she said. The mother said that boys' pants are being pulled down before being paddled by hockey sticks.
"There is a video. My daughter looked at it. I, physically, cannot look at it ... because it makes me physically ill," the mother said.
Patch is not reporting some parents' names—at their wish—so as to protect the identity of victims.
"I can confirm that we have had some complaints registered with us from a number of parents—probably best described as a handful or so of parents—at this time," Upper St. Clair police Lt. James Englert said on Thursday, "who have raised this issue of some potential initiation, if you will, or harassment, paddling of their incoming freshmen boys by upperclassmen within the (Upper St. Clair) School District.
"It's all new information. For the most part, we are delving into it right now to take a little bit of time to talk to people additionally and see just what the scope of it is, how widespread it is, how involved it is. And we'll be working with these parents and young people to make a decision on how it's going to be handled ultimately."
Englert said that the paddling incidents "probably began towards the very end of the school year and may have continued after school was over for the year.
"We don't believe it's ongoing right now, but certainly, that's something that we'll be looking into, as well."
Multiple students who identified themselves as victims of the paddling were interviewed by police on Friday.
Englert said on Thursday that parents have shown police officers videos that show paddling incidents.
"Apparently, there is something to this," Englert said. "We have had a number of people come forward. If there are any more people who feel as though they were victimized by this matter, they can certainly feel free to call us (police), as well."
Upper St. Clair police can be reached at 412-833-7500.
School district Superintendent Patrick O'Toole issued the following statement via an emergency alert on Friday: "The district has learned of allegations of student hazing taking place this summer in the community.
"From the information gathered thus far, it appears there may have been incidents of senior students paddling entering freshmen. Both the USC Township police and the school district administration are investigating the allegations.
"The school district will work closely with local law enforcement, parents and students to address these allegations. The district has strong policies that address student harassment, including hazing, and will take appropriate action against any violators of these policies.
"We encourage anyone with information to contact Dr. (Michael) Ghilani—high school principal (412-833-1600, ext. 2829)—and the township police (412-833-7500)."
Those wishing to share their stories with Patch can contact Editor Bob Healy at 412-491-1179 or robert.healyiii@patch.com.
UPDATE (Friday, 2:30 p.m.):
Patch Editor Bob Healy watched some of the paddling videos on Friday. Two videos showed boys being struck on the naked buttocks with a long and wide stick. It is not clear what kind of stick this was.
The victims appeared to be in pain, with one of them letting out a loud grunt after being struck a second time. A small crowd of boys can be heard on the videos laughing after the paddling.
Healy also viewed multiple photos of injuries. The photos showed numerous bruises, redness and welts.
---
UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - Several parents have made complaints to the Upper St. Clair Township Police Department, alleging that their sons have been victims of an initiation ceremony that involves incoming Upper St. Clair High School freshmen being spanked by upperclassmen.
The incidents are being filmed and shared by those conducting the spankings, the parents say.
One mother said that her daughter is now in possession of one of the videos and has watched it. The mother cannot bring herself to watch the video, though, she said. The mother said that boys' pants are being pulled down before being paddled by hockey sticks.
"There is a video. My daughter looked at it. I, physically, cannot look at it ... because it makes me physically ill," the mother said.
Patch is not reporting some parents' names—at their wish—so as to protect the identity of victims.
"I can confirm that we have had some complaints registered with us from a number of parents—probably best described as a handful or so of parents—at this time," Upper St. Clair police Lt. James Englert said on Thursday, "who have raised this issue of some potential initiation, if you will, or harassment, paddling of their incoming freshmen boys by upperclassmen within the (Upper St. Clair) School District.
"It's all new information. For the most part, we are delving into it right now to take a little bit of time to talk to people additionally and see just what the scope of it is, how widespread it is, how involved it is. And we'll be working with these parents and young people to make a decision on how it's going to be handled ultimately."
Englert said that the paddling incidents "probably began towards the very end of the school year and may have continued after school was over for the year.
"We don't believe it's ongoing right now, but certainly, that's something that we'll be looking into, as well."
Multiple students who identified themselves as victims of the paddling were interviewed by police on Friday.
Englert said on Thursday that parents have shown police officers videos that show paddling incidents.
"Apparently, there is something to this," Englert said. "We have had a number of people come forward. If there are any more people who feel as though they were victimized by this matter, they can certainly feel free to call us (police), as well."
Upper St. Clair police can be reached at 412-833-7500.
School district Superintendent Patrick O'Toole issued the following statement via an emergency alert on Friday: "The district has learned of allegations of student hazing taking place this summer in the community.
"From the information gathered thus far, it appears there may have been incidents of senior students paddling entering freshmen. Both the USC Township police and the school district administration are investigating the allegations.
"The school district will work closely with local law enforcement, parents and students to address these allegations. The district has strong policies that address student harassment, including hazing, and will take appropriate action against any violators of these policies.
"We encourage anyone with information to contact Dr. (Michael) Ghilani—high school principal (412-833-1600, ext. 2829)—and the township police (412-833-7500)."
Those wishing to share their stories with Patch can contact Editor Bob Healy at 412-491-1179 or robert.healyiii@patch.com.
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