Upper Perk Teacher Charged with Failure to Report Suspected Child Abuse

Upper Perkiomen High School Health Teacher and Varsity Baseball Coach Frank R. Mercon, of Upper Frederick, was arraigned this morning after allegedly failing to report the sexual assault of a minor student to authorities, according to a press release from District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.

A Montgomery County Detectives' investigation revealed that a minor victim reported a 2009 sexual assault to Mercon, who allegedly told the victim that nothing could be done because so much time had passed since the assault and that he didn't have to tell anyone about the incident, according Ferman.

The release stated that Mercon allegedly failed to report the victim's suspected sexual assault to any child protective or law enforcement services, which is required as a teacher.

According to Ferman, the investigation allegedly found that Mercon admitted his failure to report the assault in a conversation with the principal of Upper Perkiomen High School.

"We all have the moral and ethical obligation to protect children," said Ferman.  "The charges filed today reflect a serious failure to protect a teenage girl by a person she trusted.  Teachers who learn information about sexual abuse of children must share that information promptly."

The reported sexual assault was investigated by Berks County Detectives, who then contacted Montgomery County officials after the victim reported her alleged conversation with Mercon, according to Ferman.

Mercon was arraigned before Catherine M. Hummel Fried.