“Unfortunately some monsters are real” – District Attorney Joe Khan
Key Takeaways
- Edward A. Eisenhard, 37, of Pennsylvania, faces multiple felony charges in separate cases involving the alleged sexual assaults of three victims.
- The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office is investigating additional allegations against Eisenhard at his workplaces and believes there may be more victims.
- Civil action may allow survivors to seek accountability from businesses that failed to protect them from sexual abuse.
Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said Edward Eisenhard “is accused of being a serial sexual predator who targeted female victims in both workplace and domestic settings.”
Edward Alistar Eisenhard, 37, of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, faces multiple felony charges involving the alleged sexual assaults of three victims, including two female employees he supervised at separate businesses and a 12-year-old girl.
Eisenhard was initially arrested on October 1 after allegedly sexually assaulting a 19-year-old employee at a Five Below store in Hilltown Township, where he worked.
Following his October 1 arrest, two more victims came forward, including an employee at the Valley of Fear Halloween attraction in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where Eisenhard also worked, and a child who reportedly knew Eisenhard through a relationship with her family.
On October 27, 2026, Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan announced new criminal charges in the two additional cases against Eisenhard, alleging that he is a “highly dangerous, recidivistic sex offender.”
During a press conference, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced that investigators are examining additional allegations of sexual misconduct involving Edward Eisenhard and believe there may be more victims. Officials also answered questions from members of the media about the ongoing investigation.
“Eisenhard is not a registered sex offender and had no prior criminal history related to sexual offenses.” (Lehigh Valley Live)
Eisenhard Accused of Sexually Assaulting Five Below Employee
Edward Eisenhard was initially arrested following allegations that he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old employee at the Five Below store in the Souderton section of Hilltown Township, Pennsylvania, where he worked.
According to the criminal complaint, the employee was working on September 27, 2026, around 7:10 p.m. when Eisenhard, her boss, instructed her to help clean the back stockroom.
According to the criminal complaint, as described by the Daily Voice, “Once they were alone, Eisenhard allegedly made sexual comments before pinning the employee’s arms above her head against a wall and taking away her personal cellphone, work phone, and work radio, according to the criminal complaint previously obtained by Daily Voice. He then allegedly restrained and sexually assaulted her.”
According to investigators, the alleged assault ended when another employee contacted Eisenhard through the store headset.
Later that shift, according to investigators, Eisenhard told the woman she could have refused his advances, “‘You could have said no at any point. You know you could have said no at any point, if you did not want anything.’” According to investigators, he also told her later in the evening, “‘What happens on Sunday night shifts stays on Sunday night shifts.’”
The employee subsequently reported what had happened. On September 28, 2026, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office recorded a telephone conversation between the employee and Eisenhard.
According to NBC 10 Philadelphia, “During the call, Eisenhard admitted to sexually assaulting the woman and apologized for his actions, investigators said. ‘I thought you were flirting with me and I read that wrong,’ Eisenhard allegedly told the woman.
‘Did I ask you to kiss me?’ the woman asked Eisenhard, according to the criminal complaint. ‘Did I ask for any of this?’
‘No and that is why I am apologizing for it,’ Eisenhard allegedly replied. Eisenhard then promised he wouldn’t do anything to the victim ever again, according to the criminal complaint.”
Eisenhard was arrested on October 1, 2026, while traveling to work. According to court records, Eisenhard faces two misdemeanor indecent assault charges, and two felony charges of aggravated indecent assault. His bail was initially set at $200,000, which he was unable to post.
According to NBC10 Philadelphia, Five Below had not responded to the outlet’s request for comment at the time of publication.
However, police confirmed that the company was cooperating with the investigation.
Edward Eisenhard Accused of Strangling and Sexually Assaulting Valley of Fear Employee
Following Eisenhard’s October 1 arrest, another woman came forward, “including one who was assaulted by Eisenhard at the Valley of Fear Halloween attraction in Lower Southampton Township. Eisenhard, who had worked at the haunted theme attraction for 10 seasons, was her supervisor,” the DA’s Office stated.
According to the criminal complaint, Eisenhard allegedly approached the employee while she was alone on a break, grabbed her by the throat until she had difficulty breathing, pinned her wrists above her head, and made sexually inappropriate comments.
“The woman, who was in a pirate costume, told police that after letting her go, Eisenhard allegedly assaulted her over her shirt, according to the complaint.” (ABC)
The woman told investigators she was “‘not expecting Eisenhard to do what he did.’”
Valley of Fear terminated Eisenhard’s employment the following day, September 26, 2026. Lower Southampton Township Police charged Eisenhard with strangulation, simple assault, indecent assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct on October 27, 2026, in regards to this case.
Eisenhard Also Charged With Sexual Abuse of 12-Year-Old Girl
The expanding investigation also uncovered allegations that Eisenhard sexually assaulted a girl on multiple occasions, beginning when she was 12. According to the criminal complaint, the alleged assaults occurred in December 2025 and October 2026. Prosecutors say Eisenhard gained access to the child’s bedroom while she was sleeping because of his relationship with her family.
The girl was interviewed by police on October 16, 2026. Eisenhard was subsequently charged with four counts each of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault, along with corruption of minors and harassment.
Investigators Believe There May Be Additional Victims
According to the Bucks County DA’s Office, “As the ongoing investigation has revealed additional allegations of similar behavior by Eisenhard at both Five Below and Valley of Fear, detectives with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office strongly believe that there are additional victims.”
Law enforcement officials are “urging any additional potential victims or anyone with information regarding Eisenhard to immediately come forward.” The number to contact is 215-348-6354.
On October 28, 2026, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced that two magisterial district judges granted prosecutors’ requests to hold Eisenhard without bail in the two newly filed criminal cases.
Magisterial District Judges Daniel Baranoski and Gary Gambardella determined that conditions of release would not adequately protect the community given the multiple cases against Eisenhard.
Assistant District Attorney Victoria Pollock is assigned to prosecute the cases.
An Instagram search of “Edward Eisenhard” reveals a profile, “smoke_eater3696,” which appears to be Eisenhard in his firefighting attire.
Who Is Edward Eisenhard?
Edward Alistar Eisenhard, 37, is a Pennsylvania resident whose reported background includes supervisory positions in retail and seasonal entertainment, as well as volunteer firefighting.
A LinkedIn profile for “edward eisenhard” also lists employment as a Forklift Operator at M&W Precast.
According to NBC 10, Eisenhard “volunteered with the Palisades Regional Fire Rescue in Springtown, Pennsylvania.” After Eisenhard’s first arrest, the president of Palisades Regional Fire Rescue, Peter Cox, confirmed to NBC that Eisenhard was suspended.
Could Businesses Face Civil Liability for Sexual Assaults?
The allegations against Edward Eisenhard raise serious questions about workplace sexual abuse, employee safety, and whether the businesses where he worked could bear legal responsibility for failing to protect employees from alleged assaults.
Under Pennsylvania law, employers may face civil liability for negligent hiring, supervision, or retention under certain circumstances, including when they knew or reasonably should have known that an employee posed a danger and failed to take appropriate action.
A civil investigation into sexual abuse cases may examine:
- Prior complaints and warning signs: Whether a business or institution received reports of sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, threats, or other concerning behavior involving an employee.
- Supervision and authority: Whether an individual misused their position of authority to isolate, intimidate, or sexually exploit others, and whether adequate oversight existed.
- Hiring and employment practices: Whether appropriate background checks were conducted and whether an employee’s prior conduct or disciplinary history raised concerns.
- Reporting procedures: Whether employees had safe, accessible ways to report sexual misconduct without fear of retaliation.
Civil investigations can help determine whether institutions overlooked warning signs, failed to respond appropriately to reports of misconduct, or otherwise contributed to preventable harm. Beyond seeking compensation for survivors, civil lawsuits can also help promote institutional accountability and stronger future protections against sexual abuse.
Civil Legal Options for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involving workplace supervisors represents a serious abuse of authority and trust.
Survivors of sexual abuse may have civil legal options separate from criminal proceedings, including potential claims against the businesses or institutions who may have contributed to the harm.
Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors of institutional sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
If you were sexually assaulted by Edward Eisenhard at Five Below, Valley of Fear, or another workplace environment, you may have civil legal rights.
You do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to speak with an attorney about your legal options.
All consultations are free and confidential.
Call Andreozzi + Foote at (866) 311-8640 or email info@vca.law.
Image sources: Eisenhard, left, via Instgram. Eisenhard, right, courtesy of CrimeWatch.
