A Delaware County man has been arrested and charged for sexually abusing a child while he worked as a Boy Scout troop leader and as a teacher at a boarding school, officials said.
Keith Steininger, 68, worked as a teacher at Girard College for 41 years before retiring in July of 2022. While at Girard College, he served as a troop leader for the school's Boy Scout troop.
Officials say that on Jan. 25, 2024, the foster parent of a child who had attended Girard College called Upland Borough Police to report the assault after the child told her about it.
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The child told their foster parent that he had been assaulted over the course of two years by Steininger between 2018 and 2022. The victim was between 11 and 13 years of age at the time of the incidents.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
The foster parent told authorities that the child said he had been touched in his "private parts" while he was staying with Steininger as he was acting as his teacher and Boy Scout troop leader.
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"The defendant in this case worked with children, many of whom were particularly vulnerable by virtue of coming to Girard through the foster care system, for more than 41 years. He was placed in a position of particular respect by becoming a Boy Scout troop leader. It is both heartbreaking and deeply disturbing that such an individual would take advantage of a vulnerable child,” said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
The alleged abuse stopped one the child was no longer at Girard College and he stopped spending time at Steininger's home.
Then, on Feb. 27, 2024, officials say the child victim handed over text messages between himself and Steininger during an interview with detectives where the child also gave more information into what happened.
On April 11, Steininger admitted to the sexual contact and gave the victim an apology during a phone call.
In a statement shared with NBC10, Girard president David Hardy said they learned of the allegations against Steininger on Tuesday: "I am shocked and angered by these deeply troubling allegations, and the College has pledged our full cooperation with Delaware County law enforcement officials in their continuing investigation of this case."
The college "is offering counselling and other support services for all students and families who request them," Hardy said. "We will continue to keep our families updated about this matter as we learn more in the days to come."
The Boy Scouts' Cradle of Liberty Council said they ended Steininger's membership upon learning of the allegations Tuesday.
"The BSA and Cradle of Liberty Council will cooperate with law enforcement as requested," the organization said.
"Steininger has been suspended from Scouting and will no longer be permitted to register or participate in the Boy Scouts of America in any capacity. Anyone with information on Steininger’s actions are encouraged to call the Upland Police Department at 610-872-3040, extension 207.
"Police have indicated that there is no suspected connection between Scouting and Steininger’s actions at this time. Steininger had valid credentials for BSA’s Youth Protection Training, Pennsylvania’s Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance and a Federal Bureau of Investigations Criminal History Clearance."
Steininger was charged with sexual contact with a student, indecent assault of a person less than 13, unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, and related offenses.
Steininger was being held at a Delaware County jail on $250,000 bail. He will have a preliminary hearing on May 2. Online court records don't list an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
District Attorney Stollsteimer said that investigators believe there could be more victims of Steininger.
If you have any information, please call the Upland Police Department at 610-872-3040 extension 207 or Detective Sergeant Steven Bannar of the Criminal Investigations Division at 610-891-4118.
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