Ex-foster parent gets 20 to 40 years in prison

Leroy K. Mitchell accepts plea deal, admits molesting five children By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy K. Mitchell For years, a respected member of the community molested various children in his care – until one “very courageous 10-year-old girl” broke the cycle, not only reporting the abuse but also agreeing to call the perpetrator, who apologized while police were listening,...

Ex-foster parent waives 2nd preliminary hearing

He is accused of abusing total of  seven victims aged 3 to 10 By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy K. Mitchell, 60, waived his preliminary hearing Monday on a second set of child-molestation charges. For the second time in less than three months, a former coach, foster parent, and corrections officer waived his preliminary hearing on child-molestation charges on Monday. Leroy K....

Vandalism continues on Bragg Hill Rd.

Signs, gates damaged at closed road; supervisors to apply for traffic light grant for Rt. 52 By Kelli Siehl, Staff Writer, The Times Damaged signs at the gate closing off Bragg Hill Road. Vandalism of gates and signs has been persistent since the roadway was closed by township officials, after it was deemed too dangerous for vehicular traffic. POCOPSON — Vandals have once again defaced signs and...

County: No records on children fostered by defendant

Data not within state requirements for retention, officials said By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy K. Mitchell, accused in two cases of child molestation, served as a foster parent in Chester County from 1989 to 1997, county officials said. An attempt to learn more about the foster-parenting history of the former county employee accused of molesting two girls in his care has...

Former foster parent waives hearings on sex charges

Prosecutor says investigators have identified other possible victims By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy K. Mitchell, 60, a former foster parent and corrections officer, waived two preliminary hearings Monday on charges that he molested two young girls. A former Chester County foster parent and corrections officer waived his preliminary hearings Monday morning in two, separate...

Longtime foster parent accused of molesting 2 girls

Chester County D.A. urging other potential victims to come forward By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Leroy Mitchell, a longtime foster parent and corrections officer, is accused of molesting two young girls. A longtime foster parent has been charged with molesting two children, ages 9 and under, in his care, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said Tuesday. Leroy Mitchell, 60,...

Two teens accused of armed burglary

Police: Crime interrupted by mother, daughter, who were confronted at gunpoint Updated at 5:30 to add details from the criminal complaint By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Alex W. Granger School buses were detoured Tuesday afternoon after a Birmingham Township mother and daughter interrupted a burglary, two armed suspects fled, and police launched a search to locate them. Two teens...

Allegations arising from prison affair continue

Female inmate sued former correctional officer, county, and warden By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times A case involving an admitted sexual infraction by a longtime Chester County Prison correctional officer – an offense that cost him his job – has generated a federal lawsuit and raised new questions about what happened in a prison basement. When county detectives first asked Beverly...

Police vigilance lands litigious parolee behind bars

Chester County Prison becomes latest target of Jonathan Lee Riches’ ire By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Jonathan Lee Riches in an undated mugshot released by authorities. Bruce Springsteen, Bam Margera, Viagra, the National Football League, Geno’s Steaks, and Kim Kardashian share a bizarre distinction: They are among thousands of subjects who piqued the wrath of a Chester...

D.A.: Escape plan of 2 alleged murderers thwarted

Four arrested in plot to spring pair of inmates from Chester County Prison By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times District Attorney Tom Hogan displays a piece of thick, security glass similar to the one the alleged conspirators hoped to shatter with a center punch or the ceramic innards of a spark plug. All that separated two alleged murderers in Chester County Prison from freedom in Mexico...