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Montco counselor charged with touching 14-year-old

A counselor from Upper Gwynedd Township has been charged with inappropriately touching a teenage client, Montgomery County officials announced Tuesday.

A counselor from Upper Gwynedd Township has been charged with inappropriately touching a teenage client, Montgomery County officials announced Tuesday.

Bernard Rivas, 73, is charged with touching a 14-year-old girl during counseling sessions at his home.

Rivas is a licensed counselor who sees clients in his home office and specializes in working with teens in crisis, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.

Upper Gwynedd police received a complaint in February that Rivas had touched a 14-year-old girl who was one of his counseling clients.

Police said the girl alleged Rivas had touched her in intimate areas on two occasions and had inappropriate communications with her.

Rivas did not return a message left at his home on Tuesday.

He is charged with endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and indecent assault.

Rivas was arrested Thursday and arraigned before Magisterial District Court Judge Robert Sobeck. He was released after posting 10 percent of his $5,000 bail.

Rivas is next scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Monday.

Officials asked anyone with additional information about Rivas' activities to contact Upper Gwynedd police or the Montgomery County Detective Bureau.