ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An Allentown middle school principal who was placed on administrative leave in September is facing criminal mischief and disorderly conduct citations for her behavior at a city park. 

Police officials say that Stephanie Williams, the Harrison-Morton Middle School principal who was placed on leave after an incident at an Allentown park, was harassing people, yelling at children, and acting erratically.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, at approximately 5 p.m., Allentown police officers responded to Bucky Boyle Park for reports of disturbance, police said in a news release.

Officers spoke to several people who were gathered at the park for a neighborhood event who reported Williams for her behavior, according to officials.

Officers contacted Williams and asked her several times to leave the park because her behavior was of concern to the others, and told her that she was no longer welcome at the community event, the release says.

While officers walked with Williams and her child to the parking lot area, Williams became confrontational, refusing the officers’ lawful commands to leave the park, and was subsequently taken into custody, police say. 

As officers attempted to locate family members to care for Williams’ child, she kicked out the rear window of the marked patrol vehicle that she was seated in, police said.

Williams was taken to police headquarters where she continued to exhibit “inexplicable behavior” to a degree that officers were concerned about her safety, and she was taken to a local area hospital for an evaluation, police say.

After review of police body-worn cameras, videos posted online regarding Williams’ actions prior to police involvement, and consultation with the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, two summary non-traffic citations (criminal mischief and disorderly conduct) have been filed against Williams in District Court, according to Allentown police. 

The Allentown School District has responded to the new information released by police on Wednesday, saying that, 

“In accordance with District policy, Ms. Williams was placed on paid administrative leave effective Saturday, September 13, 2025. As of this week, and while the matter remains under review, Ms. Williams is currently utilizing her accrued paid time off. To ensure continuity and stability, Mr. Arcelius Brickhouse has been serving as Acting Principal of Harrison-Morton and will continue in this role until further notice.”

The district say they are unable to share additional details regarding the incident at this time as it is a confidential personnel matter, and out of respect for the ongoing legal process.Â