Two Carbon County residents, one employed as a teacher at a facility for juveniles and the other as a staff member, were assaulted by some of the students at the facility.

State police at Bethlehem said the incident occurred at KidsPeace, located along Kidspeace Drive in North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. It was one of three incidents at the facility investigated by troopers.

On March 17 at 12:07 p.m. troopers responded to the facility for a reported assault of a teacher. The investigation revealed that three juvenile students at the facility assaulted a 53-year-old male teacher from Palmerton. The teacher was taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, where he was treated for a fractured rib and a cut to his chin. The three juveniles involved were charged with aggravated assault.

The second incident occurred at 9 p.m. March 22. Staff members were called to assist as several students had left their designated area. Upon arrival, troopers were told a physical altercation occurred between two juveniles. A 27-year-old male staff member from Lehighton attempted to break up the fight at which time the two juveniles attacked him.

The two juveniles, boys ages 14 and 16, struck the staff member and kicked him multiple times about the head and body. He was transported to LVH, Cedar Crest, for treatment. Troopers said a CT scan and EKG were negative for any injuries to the staff member and there were no bruising or lacerations observed. The two juveniles were cited for harassment.

The third incident occurred on March 25 about 1 a.m. when eight juveniles left the facility and were considered runaways. Five males and three females left their respective living areas and entered into a wooded area near the center. Staff members attempted to locate the juveniles, however, they were unsuccessful.

Later in the same shift, troopers were contacted and provided with a possible location of the eight juveniles. The juveniles were located along Route 309 in the area of Huckleberry Road, and transported back to the KidsPeace facility.