Skip to content
News
Link copied to clipboard

Source: Police arrest 2 boys in middle-school sextape case

Two 13-year-olds from William Tilden Middle School face rape, unlawful restraint and related offenses.

POLICE MADE a major break yesterday in a disturbing sexual-assault case involving four middle school students.

Late yesterday afternoon, investigators arrested two 13-year-old boys who allegedly coerced an 11-year-old schoolmate at William Tilden Middle School into performing a sexual act on them earlier this month and filmed the encounter, a law-enforcement source said. Afterward, police said, the teens posted the video online.

The boys - whose names are being withheld because they are minors - are being charged with rape, indecent assault, unlawful restraint and related offenses, the source said. It's unclear if they'll be tried as adults in the case.

Detectives are still seeking a third boy, also 13, in the investigation.

Police were made aware of the incident on Oct. 9 by the principal of Tilden, at Elmwood Avenue near 66th Street in Southwest Philadelphia, said Lt. John Stanford, a police spokesman.

The principal told investigators that members of the school community had seen the video online and brought it to his attention.

The victim told police that the boys forced her into performing the act, telling her that if she didn't, they would post another, previously recorded video online, the source said.

From landmarks visible in the background of the video, the source said, it's clear that the sexual act occurred in a parking lot behind the school.