DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. – Ex Milton Hershey School house parent Randy Fies, 35, of Palmyra, plead no contest to Corruption of Minors in Dauphin Count Court this morning.
The charge stemmed from an investigation by Derry Township Police that revealed that Fies had touched the buttocks of an eleven year old girl while he worked as a house parent. The child reported that she told Fies that it made her feel uncomfortable, he apologized but then did it again according to the investigation.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, in accordance with the state sentencing guidelines, he is to be on probation for two years and subject to the special conditions for sexual offenders, including sexual offender treatment; restrictions on where he can frequent (no parks, schools, any other areas where children congregate); and no contact with minors beyond his own family members.
During the sentencing, the Commonwealth indicated that the mother of the victim was proud of her daughter for speaking up about something that made her feel uncomfortable and bringing it to the attention of the school so that they could notify the police to protect other potential students.
According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle, “While the conduct involved in this case may seem somewhat minor compared to other cases we see, the message to all children is that if something doesn’t make you feel comfortable you should tell a trusted adult. Oftentimes offenders are grooming children with fairly innocuous contact which later results in more serious conduct.”
Gettle also praised Milton Hershey School for reporting and cooperating with the investigation.
