A Montgomery County grand jury is urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to expand the state's mandatory reporting law following its investigation into alleged locker room assaults involving members of the 2025 Cheltenham High School football team.

The recommendation comes alongside criminal charges announced July 29th against four Cheltenham High School football coaches, two adult football players, and four juveniles stemming from two alleged assaults on a 15-year-old teammate during the 2025 football season.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, the grand jury found that current Pennsylvania law does not specifically recognize hazing as a form of child abuse that must be immediately reported to ChildLine by mandated reporters, such as teachers, school administrators, and athletic coaches.

As a result, the grand jury is recommending that state lawmakers amend the law to include hazing among the incidents that require mandatory reporting.

The criminal investigation centered on two alleged locker room incidents on Aug. 15 and Sept. 3, 2025, during which prosecutors allege multiple football players assaulted a sophomore teammate. According to the grand jury, coaches later learned about one of the incidents but discussed handling it within the team rather than immediately notifying school administrators or the victim's mother.

The four coaches have each been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Conspiracy to Endanger the Welfare of a Child. Two adult players also face criminal charges, while four juveniles are being charged through the juvenile court system.

Cheltenham School District ultimately suspended the football season on Oct. 17, 2025, before canceling it two days later following allegations of hazing.

While the criminal cases will now move through the courts, the grand jury's recommendation could have a lasting impact beyond Cheltenham if Pennsylvania lawmakers choose to strengthen the state's mandatory reporting requirements for hazing incidents.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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