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Investigation continues into Glade Run youth center

ZELIENOPLE — Interviews with children regarding the Glade Run sexual abuse investigation ended last week for the state Department of Human Services.

Matthew Jones, director of Pennsylvania Human Services Licensing, said although it’s unknown when the investigation will be completed, the department is starting to reach its concluding stages.

About six weeks ago, the state agency ChildLine and the Zelienople police began investigating the facility after a young resident was sent to a hospital with injuries consistent with sexual abuse.

Glade Run is a residential treatment facility, housing about 100 youths between the ages of 8 and 21.

Jones said the department has interviewed “a number” of Glade Run staff members along with children.

The main focus of the investigation is child-on-child sexual abuse.

“We have not had an allegation yet that there were adults involved in this,” Jones said.

He said while the department has made “significant progress” in the investigation, there is more to look at before coming to a conclusion.

He also said while there have been other situations of child-on-child sexual activity in similar facilities, he is “not personally aware of anything as complex as this circumstance.”

“It’s tragically unique,” Jones said.

Zelienople Police Chief Jim Miller said there is no time frame on when the investigation will be complete and that his department’s interviews aren’t done yet.

Sheila Talarico, Glade Run Foundation executive director, said the facility has done its own investigation and interviewed staff members and the children.

She said cameras and motion detectors will be added to the cottages and common areas.

One child allegedly involved in the incident was discharged from Glade Run, although this already was planned. Every other child involved still is at the facility.

“The parents have chosen to keep the kids at Glade Run,” Talarico said. “It’s a testament to the kinds of services we provide.”

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