Four former football coaches and six players at Cheltenham High School in Pennsylvania have been charged following an investigation into alleged locker room assaults on a teammate. The charges stem from incidents that reportedly occurred during pre-season practices in August and September 2025.
A grand jury indictment followed an investigation into hazing allegations that surfaced last fall, prompting the district to cancel the team's season. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele stated that the investigation was hampered by a reluctance of individuals to be interviewed, though some incidents were captured on cellphone video.
The first alleged incident on Aug. 15, 2025, involved several players restraining a then-15-year-old sophomore while another player used a broomstick to poke him, according to prosecutors. A second incident on Sept. 3, 2025, allegedly saw multiple players kick or stomp on the sophomore, with the same player again using a broomstick. The victim reported being punched, kicked, and stomped in the head and groin with cleats during the second assault.
Prosecutors stated that while no coaches were present during the assaults, one of the charged coaches, volunteer coach Ralph Burnley, was informed by the victim about the Sept. 3 incident while receiving a ride home. According to prosecutors, Burnley then communicated with three other coaches—head coach Terence Tolbert, associate head coach Darian “DJ” McFadden, and assistant coach Benjamin Johnson III—via text message. The grand jury report alleged that text messages revealed the coaches’ intention to cover up the incidents to protect the football season.
Burnley reportedly texted, "This has to be handled and kept quiet. It's just like hazing... I'm telling you if this gets out they could put the whole team in jeopardy." McFadden allegedly responded, "if this get's [sic] out we are f-----! They will cancel the whole season."
The coaches did not immediately notify the victim's mother or school administrators. The mother learned of the Sept. 3 incident a few days later and took her son to an urgent care facility on Sept. 8, 2025, where an injury to his genitals was confirmed. School administrators contacted police on Sept. 18, 2025, after an anonymous report was made through the Safe2Say app.
Following these allegations, district officials suspended the 2025-2026 football program and canceled the subsequent 2026-2027 season. Steele noted that many witnesses, both adults and juveniles, were reluctant to share information about the incidents.
The four coaches each face charges of endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy to endanger the welfare of a child. Two juvenile players accused of actively participating in the assaults face charges including aggravated assault, hazing, and unlawful restraint. Two other juvenile players face charges of conspiracy to commit hazing, perjury, and tampering with evidence. The identities of the juveniles are not being released. Two 18-year-old players, Isaiah Simpson and Josiah Peeler, also face charges related to aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and false swearing.
Cheltenham School District Superintendent Brian Scriven expressed that the district's thoughts are with the victim and their family, stating that no student should experience violence or fear at school. Scriven affirmed the district's cooperation with law enforcement and its commitment to student safety. The grand jury report recommended that hazing be made a reportable offense for mandated reporters, a recommendation the district supports and plans to advocate for with local officials.