Updated: April 23, 2026
A summary trial hearing has been scheduled for next month at Bristol Borough District Court for the accused and former elementary school autistic support teacher accused of physical harassment of a special needs student.
Stephanie Kleinfelder, 26 of Levittown will appear before Judge David J. Chichilitti on May 28 accused of two summary violations of “Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact” of a student on the autism spectrum with additional verbal challenges.
The incidents date back to December of 2025
Original Story is Below
A now former Bristol Borough School District elementary school autistic support teacher has been cited with two harassment summonses connected to a December incident involving a 7-year-old child with special needs.
Stephanie Kleinfelder, 26 of Levittown was issued two mail summonses charging her with “Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact” of a student. The summonses were issued by Bristol Borough Police and filed on February 18.
This news organization was contacted by multiple confidential sources two days after the alleged December 5th harassment incident that took place in a classroom at Snyder-Girotti Elementary School.
School district officials at that time declined to comment.
Authorities confirmed the existence of an investigation involving Kleinfelder shortly after the incident was reported to Lower Bucks Source by confidential tipsters. She was placed on administrative leave the day of the incident by the school district, multiple sources reported.
The filed two summary offenses that say the following:
*Following multiple interviews and the completion of our investigation conducted in conjunction with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office it was determined Kleinfelder committed the offense harassment, specifically, with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person …she did strike, shove, kick, or otherwise subject the …victim… to physical contact or attempted or threatened to do the same … .”
Bristol Borough School District Solicitor David Truelove, in response to a request for comment about the child harassment allegations, said the school district had “no comment.”
“The criminal process is a completely separate proceeding,” Truelove explained, “from any possible district matters involving Ms. Kleinfelder.”
Beginning December 8, Lower Bucks Source communicated with at least four sources about harassment allegations; parsing and reviewing the details multiple times because of the sensitivity for the child and family involved; the ramifications for Kleinfelder’s career as an educator; this news organization held back on publishing a story hoping to acquire/obtain additional credible information at that time.
Kleinfelder was hired by the school district in August of 2025.
A potential conflict of interest issue could exist since once a hearing date is set. District Judge David J. Chichilitti was the school board president at the time of Kleinfelder’s hiring, which he supported, according to school district records.
Bucks County Court Administration officials said its up to a given judge whether or not, to recuse themselves from a given case. Judges, have judicial digression, county court officials explained.
It is unknown, as of publication time, whether or not, Chichilitti plans to recuse himself from the case. It is an option available to him. Bucks County Judges cannot speak to the media about cases that could come before them.
Kleinfelder’s resignation as an elementary autistic teacher became official at the school board meeting this past Thursday night . She was placed on administrative leave on or about Dec 5, 2025, officials said, in December
Kleinfelder, according to online court records, has yet to respond to the mail summonses. Individuals issued non-traffic mail summonses, according to statute, have 10 days to respond before a bench warrant can be issued for their arrest. The deadline for the former elementary autistic teacher passed 20 days ago. Court officials provided no reason (s) for the lack of a warrant being issued.
Informed sources told Lower Bucks Source it is more than likely an address /mail issue.
Kleinfelder did not respond to a request for comment on this story as of publication time.
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