Authorities are searching for an employee of the Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services, who is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old patient.
Shakur Austin, 26, is wanted on a series of charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, institutional sexual assault of a minor, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children and indecent assault, NBC Philadelphia reported.
Authorities launched their investigation last month into the West Chester facility, which provides support for children, teenagers and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A staff member contacted the West Whiteland Township Police Department on July 3 and told them of a rumor about Austin assaulting an underage patient.
Supervisors scouring surveillance video later uncovered a clip, which allegedly shows Austin receiving oral sex from the teen on June 30.
During a subsequent interview with investigators, the victim’s mother said Austin often bought her daughter food and let her use the facility’s phone to call family and friends, according to the criminal complaint.
“From what we understand, he may have used his position to groom the child prior to the assault,” West Whiteland Police Detective Michael Buchmann told NBC10.
“Offenders will groom the children,” he continued. “Provide them gifts and services to offend on them. To make it easier to offend on them so they don’t tell anybody.”
Amid their investigation, authorities discovered additional footage of Austin, again allegedly assaulting the teen, and issued a warrant for his arrest.
The teen was admitted in January 2024, but has since exited the facility.
Police said Austin is around 5-foot-11 and weighs 170 pounds. He’s also described as having black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or the case have been asked to call West Whiteland Township Police.