Upper Moreland HS Baseball Coach On Leave After Charges Of Strangling 12-Year-Old In Newtown: Cops

By Kara Seymour and Justin Heinze

UPPER MORELAND, PA -- The baseball coach at Upper Moreland High School has been charged with strangling a 12-year-old during a baseball camp in February, authorities said.

Ken Irwin, 52, of Hatboro, previously the assistant coach and now the head coach at Upper Moreland, has been charged with strangulation, disorderly conduct, and engaging in fighting and harassment, police said.

Upper Moreland School District Superintendent Robert J. Milrod told Patch that Irwin is still employed by the district, but is now on administrative leave.

The incident took place on Feb. 16 at the NAC Sports Training Center on Pheasant Run in Newtown Township, police said. A spokesperson with the Newtown Athletic Club confirmed it happened at the NAC Sports Training Center, but the facility was being rented by an outside organization at the time and Irwin has no affiliation with the training center or the club.

When police arrived, the victim's parent told officers that Irwin had assaulted her 12-year-old during a baseball training event.

Irwin has been employed with the Upper Moreland School District since the spring of 2011.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 12.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Irwin worked at the NAC Sports Training Center. He does not work for the NAC and has not for over 3 years, the club confirmed. Patch regrets the error.

Image via Newtown Township Police