Pocono News Section

Delaware Valley to Pay for Alleged Cover-up

Delaware Valley to Pay for Alleged Cover-up - Monday, January 11, 2010 at 11:59PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Monday, Jan 11, 2010 @ 11:59pm EST

SHOHOLA, PIKE COUNTY- Sam Freeman doesn't like keeping things to herself. But for several years, she was tight-lipped about a third grade teacher who molested her. Today, Freeman is 19.

Freeman said in an interview with Eyewitness News Monday night she knew of at least two other victims. Freeman, her family and attorney painted a picture of cover-up by a school district intent on preserving its good reputation. Delaware Valley will cut a check for $815,859, based on a December federal court settlement reached with the Freemans and made public today.

Delaware Valley School officials, including current Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan, former Superintendent James Melody and former Principal Robert L. Smith reportedly failed to take action after receiving warnings about the conduct of teacher Thomas Harvey Matthews. According to Attorney Jack Cohen, Delaware Valley district leaders allowed Matthews to quietly leave after serious allegations first came to light. He landed a job in a Spotsylvania County, Virginia school district. The district "failed to take necessary action," demonstrating "a clear evidence of deliberate indifference of the victims to the heinous actions of Matthews," according to a news release quoting Cohen.

Messages left for Superintendent Finan were not immediately returned.

Matthews wouldn't escape the attention of police. But prosecuting the middle-aged popular educator proved difficult.

The Freemans moved to rural Pike County from northern New Jersey. When daughter Sam first mentioned the abuse nearly ten years ago, Matt and Karen Freeman's first decision was to remove her from the school that otherwise had a sterling reputation. An uphill battle ensued. The couple hit roadblocks, first with unwilling investigators and a described uncooperative school. Karen Freeman said it became clear school principals were unfamiliar with simple definitions of abuse. Karen Freeman said eventually a willing state trooper picked up the case.

Matthews was found guilty in 2006 and sentenced to 11 to 24 years in prison. The Freemans say even to this day, the school district has never apologized. The settlement does not imply the school district's admission of guilt.

Sam Freeman said she sections off the abuse as a separate time in her life. Though it's dominated more than a decade, she's now in college and has plans to become a surgeon. A news release indicates Freeman "suffers from a multitude of psychological and social concerns."