Police investigating cadet assault, underage drinking at Valley Forge Military Academy

Christie Ileto Image
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Police: Cadet assaulted at Valley Forge Military Academy
There were six reported incidents at the Valley Forge Military Academy over the weekend as reported by Christie Ileto during Action News at 11 on March 25 2019.

WAYNE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A student was taken to the hospital after an alleged assault at Valley Forge Military Academy, which was just one of six reported incidents this past weekend.

"There was an assault that was reported by Valley Forge Military Academy. When officers got there they learned there were several people involved in some sort of altercation," said Superintendent Christopher Flanagan of the Radnor Township Police Department.

Because the victim and attackers are minors, police couldn't go into detail, but sources from within the school said the victim was mistakenly targeted as ratting out a group of cadets for underage drinking the night before.

The next night, the teen was allegedly lured into to a room, where his peers jumped him.

He was rushed to an area hospital. Sources said he suffered a broken nose, bruised ribs and a busted lip.

Valley Forge Military Academy told Action News in a statement, "The students involved have been suspended from school and are no longer on campus."

Attorney Leno Thomas, a Valley Forge Military Academy alum himself, is representing several parents of current students who are concerned with the direction the school is going and the board of trustees' lack of leadership.

The Academy has had three presidents in the last four years. The most recent, General Walt Lord, resigned and was later dismissed earlier this month, prompting several petitions for his return.

"That high turnover rate alone should tell you there is a problem with the leadership at Valley Forge Military Academy," said Thomas. "Parents aren't going to take this lying down, that they want answers."

Sources said the victim has been released from the hospital. Action News reached out to his family, but have not heard back.

The incident remains under investigation.