Reportedly, when Mintmier entered the school, he was approached by an employee who was responsible for screening visitors prior to admittance, and asked to use the restroom.  The employee permitted the man to enter the school and access the restroom hallway, unaccompanied.  He allegedly stayed in the stall for about 40 minutes until the girl who encountered Mintmier alerted staff members.

The District Superintendent, William Short, wrote in a letter to parents, “This egregious error in judgment is against school district policy and procedures.” . One parent of a child in the school expressed frustration with how the district failed to follow its own procedures, as well as not notifying parents of what happened sooner.

According to the criminal documents, police responded to the school at about 3:30 PM, where staff members detained a man – later identified as Mintmier – after he was found in the girls’ bathroom.  The police determined that Mintmier had no reason to be in the school building.  “He was not staff or working at the school and did not have a child attending the school.  Alarmingly, the police also found a box cutter in Mintmier’s pocket.

Mintmier was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and denied bond as he was deemed a “danger to the community”.  The Monroeville Police Department indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible.

Similar hidden camera and recording of children have not only resulted in criminal convictions but also civil judgments.  It is also not uncommon for perpetrators of illicit recordings of children to be repeat offenders.  It is important that victims receive justice and those who are responsible are held accountable to the full extent of the law.

Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading firms in representing survivors of sexual abuse against large and powerful institutions.  The institutions entrusted to care for children are expected to follow their own policies and procedures to keep children safe from harm.  The firm of Andreozzi + Foote has handled multiple cases against schools and school districts, youth sports organizations, churches, ministries, and camps for their part in sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.  If you or a loved one was the victim of sexual abuse or exploitation, including those who were illegally recorded by Mintmier, please reach out to us for a free consultation at (866) 694-3103.