Update on the prosecution of juveniles arrested in Quakertown on February 20, 2026 

On February 20, 2026, the Quakertown Borough Police Department arrested five juveniles who were alleged to have assaulted Quakertown police officers, including Police Chief Scott McElree. Based on the sworn affidavits of probable cause alleging that each juvenile defendant committed conduct constituting felony Aggravated Assault and lesser charges, this Office approved those charges in accordance with the procedures mandated by Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Act. 

Upon close scrutiny of additional evidence, including video footage obtained after the initial filing of charges, our Office withdrew Aggravated Assault and other charges in instances where those charges were unsupported by the evidence as a whole.  Our Office then offered diversionary options to all five juveniles based on the facts of each case and each juvenile ’s individual history and circumstances.  These diversionary programs are designed to meet the needs of each juvenile and to help them expunge the records of these arrests.   As of today, each of the five juveniles has agreed to resolve their cases through diversionary programs, including two new diversion options that the District Attorney introduced after taking office. 

We thank the public not only for their assistance in providing critical video footage and other evidence but also for their patience as we worked to resolve these matters of great public interest.  While these matters were pending, we refrained from commenting on the details of these cases for two reasons.  First, the protections of the Juvenile Act require prosecutors to exercise restraint in commenting about matters involving minors who are charged via delinquency petition.  Protecting the rights of the accused is central to the mission of prosecutors, and this responsibility is particularly important with respect to juveniles.  Second, the juveniles who were arrested in this case have been subjected to intense if not unprecedented public scrutiny.  Whenever possible, our Office supports remedies such as record expungement that help young people minimize the long-term consequences and stigma of arrests.  Given how much information about these juveniles has circulated on the internet, our Office sought to exercise an appropriate degree of care in disclosing details about their cases until all matters were resolved.   

Update on the independent investigation into the response of the Quakertown Police 

On February 21, 2026, this Office was charged with conducting an independent investigation into the Quakertown Borough Police Department’s response to the events of February 20, 2026.  The conclusion of these five juvenile cases now brings that independent investigation into its final chapter.   

For the last four months, our County Detectives have worked tirelessly to obtain all available evidence of these events.  In addition to reviewing reports, statements and other evidence provided by the Quakertown Borough Police Department, our investigators sought and received assistance from the community in gathering the evidence – including critical video footage – needed for a thorough investigation.  Our investigators have asked the five juveniles, through their counsel, for their voluntary participation in this independent investigation.  Now that each of the five juveniles has resolved their respective cases, we are working with their attorneys to ensure that our investigators provide a full and equal opportunity for witnesses such as these to have their voices heard. 

Again, we thank the public for both their assistance and patience as we move expeditiously to complete the investigation assigned to us with the diligence that justice requires.