Ex-cop from Delco charged with corruption of minors
DOWNINGTOWN >> A former borough police officer and resource officer for Downingtown West High School has been arrested for corruption of minors after she was allegedly caught by Upper Uwchlan Township police, partially clothed, in the back seat of her SUV with a 17-year-old male student.
Stefanie Dunne, 44, who is married and lives in Thornton, was arrested for corruption of minors by the Downingtown Police Department and the Chester County District Attorney’s office following a more than month-long investigation.
At 10:45 p.m. on May 4, an Upper Uwchlan officer was on routine patrol in an area of Struble Trail on Dorlan Mill Road when he saw a dark-colored SUV parked in a parking lot with two people in the back seat, according to a police criminal complaint. The area is isolated and closed to the public. The police officer allegedly saw Dunne putting her shirt on while moving from the back seat to the driver’s seat. The 17-year-old boy told the police officer he was 18 years old, which was later confirmed by body camera footage.
Dunne and the teen met when the victim was in ninth grade, police said. Dunne would give him rides home from the high school after football games on Friday nights in 2017. They allegedly communicated through SnapChat and via text on their cellphones about having a sexual relationship. The teen stated the defendant would pick him up in her car and they would drive to secluded areas where they would have a physical relationship.
A forensic search of the teen’s phone revealed several photographs of Dunne. There were more 6,000 text messages between Dunne and the teen dating back to May 2018. Police said many of the messages contain intimate references and sexual innuendos dating back to May 2018. The messaging includes both the alleged victim and Dunne professing their love for each other, according to the complaint.
“The Downingtown Police Department is extremely shocked and disappointed to learn of the actions of the ex-police officer,” said Downingtown Police Chief Howard Holland. “Officers are entrusted to protect children, not take advantage of them. This type of conduct is deplorable to anyone, but much greater to those who wear the Downingtown Police badge with honor. The actions of this individual should not be used to define our officers, but should be seen as the way police agencies need to address inappropriate and criminal behavior.”
First Assistant District Attorney Michael Noone stated, “This defendant betrayed her oath to enforce the law and protect children. She abused her position to have an inappropriate relationship with a student. This kind of behavior is unacceptable.”
According to the criminal complaint, Dunne refused to be interviewed by a female detective. She later said that she had known the teen since the spring of 2018 from Downingtown High School West. She said the victim was a troubled youth who was in the Access Program at Downingtown West. The Access Program is for students with mental health, emotional, disciplinary and other issues that preclude students from attending normal class.
Dunne told authorities she was a “sort of counselor” to the teen, according to the criminal complaint. She said she noticed a “downward spiral” in the youth and that he suffered from a lot of mental health issues. She described him as a “tortured soul, very depressed.”
Dunne never reached out to the teen’s family or crisis intervention services about his purported suicidal tendencies that Dunne described to authorities, the complaint said.
“Chester County police officers are held to high standards and are proud to maintain these standards,” said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan. “All of Chester County law enforcement is disappointed and outraged by this abuse of power and trust.”
Downingtown School District officials released the following statement: “Downingtown Area School District strongly condemns the actions necessitating the officer’s dismissal and applaud the police for their quick action in this matter. Upon notification by the police about the impending investigation, the school resource officer was immediately removed from her placement in the district. Anytime there is a threat to a young person, it is deeply upsetting. As a district, we continually strive to ensure the safety and protection of our school community. The district has always had an exceptional working relationship with the Downingtown Police Department. We appreciate the strong partnership we have with our local emergency responders and we will continue to seek their support and guidance in the future.”
Dunne was arrested on July 30 and charged with one count of corruption of minors. Her bail was set at $50,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11 at District Court 15-4-02.
This case was investigated by the Chester County Detectives. The case will be prosecuted by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Unit. Anyone with information regarding these or other incidents involving Dunne is urged to contact Detective Joseph Walton at 610344-6866.