ZELIENOPLE — A state report that highlights an alleged string of sexual encounters among children at Glade Run Lutheran Services also points to other instances where the organization faltered.

The 55-page report by the state Department of Human Services details violations and instances that occurred at Glade Run between March and September.

The DHS recently revoked Glade Run’s license for one of its residential treatment facilities after a two-month investigation regarding child-on-child sexual abuse.

Glade Run has four facilities on its campus, each with its own DHS license, and houses about 100 youths from ages 8 to 21. Many of them have emotional issues.

The organization appealed the decision immediately after being told of the license revocation by DHS.

Glade Run is allowed to continue operating the facility during the appeal, but must follow guidelines and operating rules of the department.

Although it was the sexual activity among a group of young people that brought investigators to Glade Run, the probe soon discovered other instances in which the facility fell short of operating standards of the department.

Staff neglect was cited in the report.

On July 30, at Sandcastle Water Park, two children age 12 and 15 ran away while two staff members were in a wave pool, too far away from the children to recognize that they had bolted.

Glade Run reported the incident to police that day. However, it failed to report it to the DHS within 24 hours, instead waiting until Aug. 4 to officially notify the department.

The children went missing for four days. They had been taken to an abandoned house in Penn Hills, Allegheny County, where they were forced to perform sexual acts by multiple persons.

The 12-year-old who balked at the activity was shot multiple times with a BB gun.

Both children walked door-to-door to contact authorities and were taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for treatment. They were returned to Glade Run on Aug. 4.

The staff members received “progressive discipline” as per agency policy.

On May 23, a resident used a broken piece of glass found on the facility’s exterior grounds to cut his legs and left arm.

The facility did not ensure the facility’s exterior was free of hazards, the report said.

Glade Run’s corrective action was to perform daily inspections to the construction site between the school and cafeteria.

Also on May 23 after dinner, a staff member pushed a resident onto a bed and used CPR motion on the resident’s chest, resulting in three bruises to the resident.

The staff member was “immediately suspended” and escorted off Glade Run’s campus.

All unit team members received refresher training related to boundary awareness and interactions.

Other lesser violations included improper fire drill procedures, incomplete health assessments and inconsistent medication logs.

Glade Run follows procedures and guidelines set in place by the DHS and itself, giving its employees frequent training.

The report contains graphic details concerning the sexual abuse that led to Glade Run’s license being revoked.

The activity occurred in McCoid Cottage, one of four cottages in the residential treatment facility.

The report says that staff members failed to check on the children every 15 minutes during sleeping hours and were “routinely” watching television within the living area, not within visual or audible distance of the children.

A staff member was even seen sleeping overnight in the McCoid Cottage living area by a nurse. The staff member was suspended from his duties and ultimately terminated.

The department reiterated that staff must follow a protocol aimed at having periodic and frequent checks on the residential rooms.

Eight children engaged in sexual acts with one another in the back of the cottage from March through July. The children were ages 8 to 13.

After forensic interviews were conducted by the Butler County Alliance for Children, it was determined that no child will be criminally charged and that there “is no identified perpetrator.”

Investigators said some of the boys may have been more intimidating, but did not believe any actions were forced.

“Interviewing children with emotional and behavioral support needs is difficult,” said Kait Gillis, DHS spokesman.

“In this case, the forensic interviews were conducted by an interviewer from a child advocacy center with specific training in interviewing children with these needs.”

Gillis said law enforcement were present at the interviews so children wouldn’t have to be interviewed multiple times.

Zelienople Police Chief Jim Miller said police have met with District Attorney Rich Goldinger to present its findings. The police department conducted its own investigation into the incident and were present for forensic interviews at the same time as the child advocacy center.

The DHS provided the police department additional evidence and an investigation summary.