Horsham Elementary School Worker Faces Child-Sex Charges (ICYMI)

BENSALEM, PA — A man who worked as a special-education assistant in a Horsham elementary school has been arrested on charges claiming he sexually assaulted two children.

Police say Anthony Troupe, 33, of Bensalem, was originally arrested on March 16 on child-pornography charges. At the time, he was working at Hallowell Elementary School through a contract service that provides specialized learning support.

Neither of the two assault victims are affiliated with the Hatboro-Horsham School District, police and school officials said Tuesday.

;According to Bensalem Township Police, Troupe was taken into custody after a search warrant was served at his home. Police say the search uncovered evidence that led to Troupe being charged with possessing and disseminating child pornography. His original bail was set at 10 percent of $75,000.

But, after his arrest, detectives continued to investigate and, ultimately, identified two children who were sexually assaulted by Troupe, police said. In the news release, police said the children were not associated with his job. District officials on Tuesday also said they have no knowledge of crimes Troupe committed in the district or involving any of its students.

Police added new charges of involuntary sexual intercourse with a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors and other offenses. Troupe was arraigned and taken to Bucks County Correctional Facility, now in lieu of 10 percent of $1 million bail.

In the news release, police said that, based on their investigation, they believe there may be more victims in the case. They ask anyone with information to contact Bensalem Police at 215-633-3719.

In a written statement, Hatboro-Horsham School District officials said they were "troubled" to learn of the charges. The district is working with police in the case and has been in contact with the families of children to whom Troupe was directly assigned, it said.

According to the statement, Troupe was not a direct employee of the district, but assigned to Hallowell Elementary School in Horsham through a contracted service, Substitute Teacher Service, Inc. The service provides specialized learning support.

Troupe worked at Hallowell in Feburary 2020 and again from September 2020 through his arrest on March 16. His child-abuse clearances were current and in accordance with state law and district policies at the time, officials said.

The district has fired him based on the arrest, the statement said.

"Hatboro-Horsham School District will continue to prioritize the safety of our students through the investigation," officials said. "We recognize that this is upsetting to our school families and faculty. Counseling services and support will be made available for students and staff."

In the district, anyone with information in the case may also contact Horsham Police Department at 215-643-8284.