BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bethlehem Area School District says it has concluded an investigation into a reported incident involving a staff member and a student at Marvine Elementary School.
The investigation was conducted by the Bethlehem Police Department’s Special Victims Unit in early September. Based upon the totality of the information obtained during the investigation, the case has been classified as Unfounded, meaning the investigation did not develop sufficient evidence to establish that a criminal act occurred or was attempted, according to a news release from the police department.
Police say the investigation centered on an incident in which the staff member placed the student onto a beanbag chair in a room during an effort to manage the student’s behavior. The investigation found no corroborating evidence that the student sustained an injury or experienced pain or distress as a result of the incident, according to the release.
Authorities say information obtained from witnesses also did not establish that the staff member acted with the intent to injure the student or acted in a manner that supported the filing of criminal charges.
Based upon the information developed during the investigation, the circumstances were more consistent with an attempt to manage the student’s behavior than with an intentional or criminal act, according to Bethlehem police.
The Bethlehem Police Department says it considers its criminal investigation into this matter concluded.