Media, PA – District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced the charging of twenty (20) individuals who worked in the Chester Community Charter School with multiple counts related to child abuse against twenty six (26) children in grades K-5 who were enrolled in the school’s Team Approach to Achieving Academic Success (TAAS) program. These charges come after a police investigation begun after two parents complained to school officials in January of 2025 that their children reported being afraid to attend school due to fears of being placed in “holds” by school staff.
“This case is every parents’ nightmare. We send our children to school expecting the adults will keep them safe, not abuse them physically and emotionally.” said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. “Our investigation showed some staffers physically abusing children while others sat passively and watched. All the adults charged are equally guilty in failing to protect these children, some as young as 5 years old.” Stollsteimer continued.
These charges come after an investigation by Chester Township police revealed nine of the charged defendants using techniques to restrain and punish children in grades K-5 who were enrolled in the school’s positive emotional support program. The investigation revealed that the defendants used painful techniques such as pinching students on pressure points near their necks, holding them in restraints, and threatening them with what the students called “shoulder work”. Shoulder work involved pinching students on pressure points near their necks, placing them in holds with their arms crossed in front of them, and having a knee applied to their back until the student was brought to the ground. Many of these abuses were captured on surveillance camera footage obtained and reviewed by investigators.
During the investigation, it was learned that several of the individuals who abused these children were employees of a company called Peak Performers Staffing, LLC, co-founded by Jennifer Woodhouse and Emmanuel Gilbert of Chester, Pa.
Despite assurances from Ms. Woodhouse that Peak Performers staff were trained in Safety-Care techniques, when investigators requested records documenting staff training in utilizing restraints and/or crisis prevention techniques, it was later learned that not even one of Peak Performers staff had the up to date required training. Investigators also learned, from the school’s Building Principal, that that any use of a “safety hold” must be reported pursuant to State guidelines. The Principal confirmed to investigators that no safety holds were reported by the school for 2024, during the time many of these abuses took place.
The 20 individuals charged pursuant to this investigation are:
- Raymond Harris;
- Kabree Daniels;
- Christian Denny;
- Martin Mincey, Jr.;
- Harry Woodhouse, Jr;
- Amaru Mohammed;
- Leroy Campbell;
- Adrian Hospedale;
- Monica Griffin;
- Daemon Pierce;
- Don’Neisah King Pierce;
- Arijah Clements;
- Cyrus Barlee;
- Neanne Edmonds;
- Breshonna Belgrave;
- Deja Bennett-Allen;
- Ryan Ridley;
- Maggie Moloney;
- Dahkeem Williams;
- Asia Pena
Nine (9) defendants: Harris, Daniels, Denny, Mincey, Woodhouse, Mohammad, Campbell, Hospedale, and Griffin are each charged with multiple counts including Conspiracy, Simple Assault, Unlawful Restraint, False Imprisonment, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Failure to Report Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Eleven (11) defendants: Pierce, King-Pierce, Clements, Barlee, Edmonds, Belgrave, Bennett-Allen, Ridley, Moloney, Williams, and Pena are all charged with at least one, in most cases multiple, counts of Failure to Report the Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
All of the defendants are classified as mandated reporters of incidents of suspected child abuse under Pennsylvania Law.
“I want to commend Chester Township Detective Patrick Mullen and Patrolman Michael J. Strofe, as well as Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kemp for their work in leading this investigation.” said Chester Township Police Chief Kenneth Coalson. “Our investigation revealed a toxic and abusive relationship existed inside Chester Community Charter School for children enrolled in the emotional support program. I am proud that today we are holding the support staff, teachers, and even a Dean of Students accountable for abusing or failing to report the abuse, of vulnerable children.” Coalson continued
None of the defendant are as yet in custody; several have made arrangements to surrender today.
CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNLESS AND UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who observes suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.
For press inquiries, please contact Erin Bergen, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-610-891-4139.