Fire Chief Never Reported Abuse Of Minor: Delco Authorities

FOLCROFT, PA — Details of charges against a Delaware County fire chief accused of obstructing a child sex abuse investigation have been released by authorities.

Thomas Weber, 52, of Folcroft, has been charged with endangering the welfare of children, failing to report suspected child abuse, and related crimes, according to court records.

According to a criminal affidavit filed against Weber, who was the Folcroft Fire Company's chief, allege he failed to report the alleged sexual abuse of a junior firefighter by former Folcroft Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Bateman.

Bateman was charged in December with indecent assault of a person under 16 years old, institutional sexual assault of a minor, felony unlawful contact with a minor, felony trafficking in individuals, and related crimes.

According to county investigators, Weber was made aware of the alleged abuse in mid-November 2022.

The victim, then 15 years old, and a witness reported the abuse allegations to Weber over the phone, which was corroborated by cellphone records provided by the witness.

In December 2022, the victim told the Child Advocacy Center he had told Weber about the alleged abuse, authorities said.

A second witness told authorities in January this year that they told Weber on two occasions they suspected inappropriate behavior by Batman regarding the victim, according to authorities.

Then a few days later, a third witness told investigators they got a call from Weber in November 2022 saying the victim alleged abuse by Bateman.

Authorities said Weber told the first witness the issue would be addressed at a fire company board meeting and that he wanted the victim to speak at the meeting, however the victim never was given a chance to voice their allegations at said meeting.

The affidavit states Weber never disclosed to authorities the allegations of Bateman sexually abusing the junior firefighter victim, which ultimately led to Weber being charged.

Weber was released on $200,000 unsecured bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 8, court records show.