Joseph Ohrt, Central Bucks Choir Director, Sentenced for Sexual Abuse
June 14, 2023
June 14, 2023
On June 12, 2023, former Central Bucks Choir Director, Joseph Ohrt, was sentenced to serve 2-1/2 to 5 years in state prison followed by 5 years’ probation [source]. This sentencing comes after Mr. Ohrt entered a no contest plea in October 2022 to misdemeanor charges of indecent assault, corruption of minors, tampering with evidence, and invasion of privacy. The victims of Mr. Ohrt’s heinous actions spanned three decades, causing them to endure tremendous and permanent damage.
Goldman Law Offices proudly represents one of the survivors of Mr. Ohrt’s horrible actions. Our client, a sixth grader at Linden Elementary School in 1991, was the first reported victim of Central Bucks Choir Director Joseph Ohrt. Despite Central Bucks School District being informed of Mr. Ohrt’s criminal behavior towards our client, no action was taken to protect our client or other students.
Instead, Central Bucks School District merely transferred Mr. Ohrt to Central Bucks West High School. This transfer forced our client to again see and interact with Joseph Ohrt on a daily basis, enduring derogatory remarks such as being called a “rat” and witnessing Central Bucks Choir Director Joseph Ohrt blowing kisses at him.
Ohrt has been an employed faculty member of the Central Bucks School District since 1987 and has now been placed on leave. Since Ohrt started at the district, he has taught at the following eight schools:
The Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law was enacted in 1975 to protect children from abuse. As such, among others, school employees are considered “mandated reporters.” As mandated reporters, school employees are required to make a report of suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause. Mandated reporters must make an immediate and direct report of suspected child abuse to ChildLine either electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis or by calling 1-800-932-0313. It is therefore required that instances of sexual abuse be immediately reported in a school setting. Inaction or willful ignorance, like occurred with Mr. Ohrt, will unfortunately have lasting consequences. Please visit the following link for additional resources for victims of sexual assault: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/victim-notification/.
If you or somebody you know has information regarding the actions of Joseph Ohrt and/or how Central Bucks School District dealt with any complaints, please contact Goldman Law Offices at 215-348-2605. Under the current law, our client cannot seek justice against Central Bucks School District or Mr. Ohrt because the relevant statute of limitations has expired. However, in Pennsylvania, the legislature is attempting to pass legislation to create a two-year window for past victims of sexual abuse to bring a lawsuit. See, https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2023-06-06/pennsylvania-child-sexual-assault-lawsuit-window-partisan-stalemate. With this hopeful change in the law, our client, and other survivors, will be able to seek civil justice for past instances of sexual abuse.
