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Recently terminated Brownsville Area security guard facing assault charge

By Eric Morris emorris@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read

A former Brownsville Area School District employee who was recently terminated from his position as a security guard is facing criminal charges stemming from an incident that occurred at the district’s elementary school last November.

Bruce Maurice Eilam, 55, of Brownsville was charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct for allegedly grabbing a 10-year-old by the arm and dragging her down a school hallway following a PTO meeting.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Luzerne Township Police Chief Edward Manchas, a Brownsville Area parent alleged Eilam grabbed her daughter by the arm and pulled her along the floor during an incident that occurred Nov. 8 at Brownsville Area Elementary School.

In the affidavit, the mother of the child reported that she and her daughter, along with another parent, were on their way to lock up PTO material from a meeting earlier that evening when Eilam yelled to them as they rounded a corner of the hallway.

The mother reportedly stated to Eilam that the trio was going to put material in the PTO room. According to the mother, Eilam allegedly pointed to the child, which prompted the mother to tell Eilam that the child was with her.

The affidavit reads that the mother then rounded the corner and advised her daughter to follow. The mother reported to police that she heard Eilam yell, “This is my school,” as he walked toward the child, grabbed her by the right arm and dragged her down the hallway approximately 10 feet before the child fell to her knees and Eilam released her, according to the affidavit.

The second parent present during the incident provided police with a statement consistent with that of the child’s mother, according to police.

The affidavit said district Superintendent Dr. Keith Hartbauer provided police with surveillance video of the incident that shows Eilam grabbing the child by right arm and pulling her. The video shows the child dropping to her knees in front of her mother and another parent, police said.

Charges were filed against Eilam on Jan. 22. The Brownsville Area School Board voted to terminate Eilam at the recommendation of Hartbauer at a Jan. 25 meeting.

Hartbauer declined to comment on the incident Tuesday, calling it a personnel issue.

A preliminary hearing for Eilam is scheduled for March 19 before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.

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