Authorities in Pennsylvania have arrested a man in connection with a series of alleged sexual assaults against employees at two workplaces, including a Halloween attraction. Edward A. Eisenhard, 37, from Springfield Township, faces multiple charges related to incidents involving female employees and a young girl. Investigators believe there may be more victims who have not yet come forward.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Bucks-County-Halloween-attraction-102826-78855ca9358a4b1b9019c34250e98208.jpg)
Eisenhard was taken into custody following allegations of assaulting a female employee at the Valley of Fear, a Halloween theme park, on its opening night, September 25. According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred when the woman was on a break and dressed in a pirate costume. Eisenhard reportedly approached her, seized her by the throat, and pinned her against a wall, where he then made sexually inappropriate comments before allegedly assaulting her over her clothing. The victim stated that she was in a state of “partial shock” during the ordeal, which she did not expect from her supervisor.
The day after the alleged assault at Valley of Fear, Eisenhard was dismissed from his position, as the female employee filed a report detailing the misconduct. Following this incident, he is accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old employee at a Five Below store on September 27, where he also held a managerial role. Prosecutors claim that Eisenhard instructed the young woman to tidy up the stockroom before restraining her and making unwanted sexual advances.
Eisenhard’s arrest on October 1 was followed by the formulation of charges including aggravated indecent assault. Evidence gathered during the investigation included a recorded phone call in which Eisenhard confessed to actions related to the Five Below incident.
As the investigation progressed, two additional alleged victims came forward, including the woman from Valley of Fear and a 12-year-old girl. According to the complaint, Eisenhard is accused of assaulting the girl on two occasions in December 2022 and October 2023 while she was asleep at his home. The charges indicate that Eisenhard had access to the minor due to his connection with her family.
In light of the allegations, Eisenhard faces several counts, including four charges each of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault, along with charges of corruption of minors and harassment concerning the incidents involving the young girl. In the case related to Valley of Fear, the charges against him include strangulation, indecent assault, and disorderly conduct.
During a hearing on October 28, Magisterial District Judges Daniel Baranoski and Gary Gambardella granted a request from the prosecution to hold Eisenhard without bail. The district attorney, Joe Khan, argued that Eisenhard posed a danger to the community due to the severity and nature of the allegations. “The safety of the community cannot be protected with conditions on the defendant”, Khan remarked, reinforcing the decision to deny bail.
Khan also expressed concerns about the potential for more victims to emerge, particularly given Eisenhard’s previous positions of authority at both the Valley of Fear and Five Below. His past as a volunteer firefighter may have also granted him access to vulnerable individuals, further intensifying the investigation.
Authorities are actively encouraging anyone who may have been affected by Eisenhard’s actions to contact the Bucks County Detectives. The call for additional victims to step forward reflects the ongoing nature of the investigation and the seriousness of the accusations against him.
In light of these serious allegations, the local community awaits further developments and hopes for justice for the individuals affected. The case serves as a reminder of the potential misuse of authority and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals in work environments.