An Allentown School District principal is facing criminal citations following viral videos where she was seen acting erratically in front of children at a city park.
Stephanie M. Williams, 39, is charged with summary disorderly conduct and summary criminal mischief in connection with the incident on Sept. 13, a Saturday, at Bucky Boyle Park. The citation was filed Wednesday by Allentown police at the office of District Judge Karen C. Devine.
Williams most recently served as principal of Harrison-Morton Middle School, which has students in grades six to eight.
She was placed on administrative leave Sept. 13, and an acting principal has since been put into place at the school, Melissa Reese, the Allentown School District spokeswoman, said.
Williams was no longer listed in the staff directory as of Thursday morning. Court records for Williams did not immediately list attorney information. She was not immediately reachable for comment.
Criminal Investigations Captain Stephen J. Milkovits III said the incident began around 5 p.m. Sept. 13 when officers were called to Bucky Boyle Park at 10 Pump Place for a reported disturbance.
Witnesses were gathered for a neighborhood picnic. They reported Williams was “harassing them, yelling at children, and acting erratic,” according to police.
Videos of Williams and the incident were posted on YouTube. In the footage, children can be heard asking Williams to take back a cellphone when she replies with unusual behavior and tells the children, “You’re about the go viral. Videotape me.”
Williams was asked by police to leave the park several times because her behavior was of concern to the others, and she was told she was no longer welcome at the event, Milkovits said.
As officers walked Williams and her child from the park, she became confrontational, refusing the officers’ commands to leave, Milkovits said.
Police said Williams was arrested. While in custody, she kicked out the rear window of the patrol cruiser she was seated in, Milkovits said.
She was taken to a hospital for an evaluation.
The district released the following statement:
“As of this week, and while the matter remains under review, Ms. Williams is currently utilizing her accrued paid time off,” the statement said. “… The matter is being handled directly by law enforcement. As this is a confidential personnel matter, and out of respect for the ongoing legal process, the district is unable to share additional details at this time.
“Our focus remains on supporting the students, staff, and families of Harrison-Morton Middle School and ensuring a strong, safe, and successful school year,” the statement added.
Williams has been an educator since 2008, serving as an assistant principal, founding academy leader (K-2) and 9-12 special education teacher, according to the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders.