SUMMIT TWP — Two students were arrested after state police say they attacked a staff member at the Summit Academy reform school.

The alleged beating Wednesday night left the employee in need of hospital treatment for facial injuries.

One of the suspects, a 17-year-old Philadelphia boy, is charged in Butler County juvenile court with inciting a riot, a felony, and other misdemeanor charges.

The other suspect, Steven B. Pigford Jr., 18, of Philadelphia, was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct and a summary charge of harassment.

Pigford is being held in the Butler County Prison on $30,000 bail. The younger suspect was returned to Summit Academy.

Police responded to the incident about 10:30 p.m. when they got a call about a group of individuals assaulting a staff member at the facility on Herman Road for adjudicated youths and young adults in grades 9-12.

Troopers spoke to the victim, Melvin Kirby, in the emergency room at Butler Memorial Hospital. His injuries, according to court documents, included “severe swelling” to the right side of his face and eye.

His condition was not immediately known today. A hospital spokesman did not immediately return a telephone call.

Kirby recounted that the altercation started after the 17-year-old became defiant and refused to follow orders. The boy began yelling, “we gonna start a riot,” a police affidavit said.

As he was being escorted to his room, the boy placed one of his arms around Kirby's neck and tried to take the victim to the ground.

Pigford allegedly jumped in and began punching the employee.

“Kirby advised his shirt was pulled over his head as the individuals were striking him in the face,” the affidavit said.

Other staff members eventually helped break up the fight. Two other employees corroborated Kirby's account, police said.