Prior Student Harassments By Centennial Teacher Not Reported: DA

WARMINSTER, PA —The Centennial School District never notified authorities over two previous incidents involving a teacher who was placed on administrative leave last month pending an investigation of allegations of his interaction with special needs students, authorities said.

Dennis Cahill, 66, of Yardley, was cited for harassment by the Upper Southampton Township Police Departmentfor alleged physical violence against two children in the Centennial District in the same week while working as a teacher at Davis Elementary School, court records and police stated.

"Our office was unaware of Mr. Cahill’s suspensions in 2009 and 2012," said Manuel Gamiz Jr., director of communications for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Authorities said there was no police record regarding similar allegations of physical discipline of students with autism.

Superintendent Dana Bedden told Patch that those allegations were before his becoming head of the school district, which serves Warminster and Upper Southampton townships.

"This is an active investigation/personnel matter and we are in the midst of following the required due process procedures so I will not be actively engaged in public discussion as advised by our legal counsel," Bedden said.

In terms of the current alleged two incidents, Bedden said that the school principal assisted in reporting the incidents and has the reference numbers for the reports.

He also said that all reports were filed “well” within the required timelines and that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has been regularly communicated/updated on the status of the investigation.

A police report stated that the allegations involved Cahill hitting a 5-year-old with autism and another where a child was allegedly grabbed by the ears and forcibly moved and yelled at, the Bucks County Courier Times reported.

Cahill has a hearing scheduled for Jan. 29.