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Folcroft fire chief charged for failing to report alleged sexual abuse of minor





Folcroft Fire Company Chief Thomas Weber

Folcroft Fire Company Chief Thomas Weber

Folcroft Fire Company #1 Chief Thomas Weber, 52, was charged last week for failing to report suspected child abuse against a 15-year-old boy alleged to have been committed by Deputy Chief Matthew Bateman.

In addition to that charge, Weber also faces endangering the welfare of a child, and knowledge or intent to obstruct child abuse reporting charges. “At no time did Chief Thomas Weber disclose to law enforcement, or otherwise make a report to appropriate authorities, of suspected child abuse by his employee, Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Bateman, against a juvenile, a junior member of the Folcroft Fire Company,” according to an Affidavit of Probable Cause for Weber’s arrest written by county Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Det. Robert Lythgoe. Weber’s arraignment took place before Magisterial District Judge Wilden Davis. Unsecured bail was set at $200,000. He is scheduled to appear before Davis on June 8 for a preliminary hearing.

Suspended Folcroft Fire Company #1 Deputy Chief Matthew Bateman was charged in December with a litany of allegations relating the sexual abuse of a minor.

Suspended Folcroft Fire Company #1 Deputy Chief Matthew Bateman was charged in December with a litany of allegations relating the sexual abuse of a minor.

Weber has pleaded not guilty.

A statement released by Folcroft’s mayor and Council last week read in part, “As Chief Weber is entitled to a fair trial, and is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Council and the mayor refrain from commenting at this time on the specific charges filed. However, Council and the mayor remain steadfast in their position that those individuals entrusted to serve and protect our community are under a constant duty to protect children, including the prevention, deterrence, and reporting of suspected child abuse. Silence in the face of child abuse has no place in Folcroft Borough and will not be tolerated from mandated reporters employed by the borough. Council and the mayor welcome justice for everyone affected and our hearts go out to anyone affected by abuse. Folcroft Borough encourages anyone who suspects child abuse to report and cooperate with authorities by calling ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.”

Investigators subsequently became aware that Weber had known about Bateman’s alleged actions and did not report it to proper authorities.

Folcroft Fire Company Chief Thomas Weber was charged last week for failing to report suspected child abuse allegedly committed by his deputy.

Folcroft Fire Company Chief Thomas Weber was charged last week for failing to report suspected child abuse allegedly committed by his deputy.

Bateman, 28, of the 3000 block of Kent Road, was charged Dec. 20 with three counts each of indecent assault without consent of another, indecent assault by forcible compulsion, indecent assault by threat of forcible compulsion, indecent assault on a person less than 16 years old, institutional sexual assault of a minor, unlawful contact with a minor and human trafficking, and one count of corruption of minors.

He is accused of allegedly inappropriately touching and kissing a 15-year-old male at the firehouse on the 1600 block of Delmar Drive.

According to the affidavit, around Nov. 30 CID Det. Thomas McNichol got notice from Folcroft police about a complaint received about indecent assault and corruption of minors that allegedly took place at the fire station.

Folcroft Police Cpl. Dan White told McNichol the alleged assaults had been taking place for several months, and began when the alleged victim was 15-years-old.

The victim’s mother reported the incident and told police her son told her Bateman touched his genitals and kissed him without permission. The mother also said Bateman told her son he was bisexual.

On Nov. 23, during an interview with White, Bateman waived his Miranda rights and said the teen told him he was depressed. Bateman said he comforted him with hugs and a one-time kiss on the forehead.

Bateman added the pair smoked marijuana and shared a marijuana vape pen. He also later admitted, police said, to knowing the boy was 15 years-old and said he kissed the boy about “15 times.”

Bateman said the kisses were “no big deal,” comparing the act to a “European style of greeting.”

During the interview with White, Bateman said he did not know why he kissed the boy, adding that he knew where surveillance “blind spots” were located at the firehouse.

Bateman denied touching the boy’s genitals.

However, he did admit to texting “weird images,” which included nothing sexual. He said the images were deleted, but provided his phone and password to White for examination.

On Dec. 20, during a forensic interview, the alleged victim told a representative from the Child Advocacy Center that his contact with Bateman began innocently during the summer of 2022 and the pair discussed issues the teen was experiencing. The boy said Bateman told him he was bisexual and asked if he could kiss him. The teen responded “no,” but Bateman proceeded and the attempts continued.

The kissing allegedly occurred once or twice a day and the boy told investigators that Bateman also said he was “down with it” if the boy wanted to do something sexual.

The teen said he declined but Bateman came from behind and grabbed his genitals, adding there were other times he was touched.

As time went on, the alleged victim said Bateman became controlling and jealous. He told investigators that Bateman threatened to cut or kill himself. On occasions, Bateman had photographs of blood or a bloody arm. He also told the boy he was a member of the mafia and had killed before.

The alleged victim became scared and shared the events with two other people who were interviewed and confirmed seeing messages from Bateman on the victim’s phone.

At the time of Bateman’s arrest, Folcroft Council President Joseph Papaleo said he was disheartened and disturbed by the allegations.

“I don’t have the right words to use here,” he said. “I am very upset about this.”

Bateman is facing 16 counts in his case, which is scheduled for a status conference June 12 before Common Pleas Court Judge George Pagano.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the alleged victim and a person identified as “Witness #1” told White, during an interview, that they had both contacted Weber by phone in a conference call earlier that month to alert him.

Phone records provided to Lythgoe indicated calls to Weber were made on Nov. 13 and 14. Both the witness and alleged victim verified that Weber was informed of the situation.

A second and third witness came forth to report they also told Weber of Bateman’s suspected behavior, with the third witness expressing to Weber that, as chief, he had a duty to report what he had been told. According to the affidavit, Weber said he would discuss the matter at a board meeting and requested the alleged victim to attend. The alleged victim told witness #1 he had never been invited to the meeting.

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