Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Township
Bristol Twp Step Father Sentenced 10 to 25 Years in State Prison on Sexual Assault, Corruption of Minor Charges
Shawn Burke, 37, of Bristol Township, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 to 25 years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges related to the sexual assault and corruption of two minor victims.
The sentencing, before Common Pleas Judge Stephen A. Corr, follows an investigation by the Bristol Township Police Department and subsequent prosecution by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Based on this guilty plea, Burke will be subject to lifetime supervision under Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law.
Burke pleaded guilty to involuntary deviate sexual assault of a person under 16 years of age, and two counts each of photographing, filming, or depicting a child on a computer engaging in a sexual act, corruption of minors, indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
During the sentencing hearing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristin McElroy presented powerful victim impact statements that detailed the extensive and long-lasting trauma caused by the defendant’s actions. One victim, identifying herself as a “survivor of physical, sexual, and mental abuse,” described how Burke stole her youth and innocence, exposing her to hard drugs at a young age and manipulating her into silence. “This person stole my youth and my innocence from me,” the statement read.
The statements further described the severe psychological toll the crimes took on the young victims. The second victim explained that her “whole perspective on life has changed” since the abuse, leaving her grappling with depression, PTSD, and crippling fear.
The investigation began in September 2024 when Detective John Jennings of the Bristol Township Police Department was assigned to a child abuse investigation involving two juveniles.
The facts presented in court revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that occurred at the victims’ residence in Bristol Township and other locations. One victim, who was 13 and 14 years old at the time, reported that the defendant, her stepfather, subjected her to ongoing sexual abuse. The same victim reported that Burke supplied her with marijuana, cocaine, and mushrooms on multiple occasions. Burke also brought the victim to receive multiple tattoos, including one reading ‘daddy’s girl’ and ‘made by Satan,’ which he selected, authorities said.
A second victim described incidents of emotional distress caused by the defendant’s inappropriate comments and behavior. This victim reported that Burke provided her with lingerie and made her wear it, commenting inappropriately on her appearance. She also reported that he provided her with marijuana on multiple occasions, according to court records.
The long sentence reflects the severity and extensive nature of the crimes committed against the juveniles over a period of time.
Bristol Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack on Tuesday morning released the following statement on last nights Dorrance Street Fire.
It’s only been edited for style:
Credit: Submitted
Credit: Joe Nelson
Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Township
Bristol Twp Police Reports: Levittown Man Arrested on Aggravated Assault Charges, License Plate Stolen in Farmbrook and More !
Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Township
Bristol Twp. School District Clothing Drive Does More Than Provide Attire, It Provides Stability for Students in Need
It is one thing to see a teenage student on their way to school wearing a “hoodie” on a cold winter day.
It is an entirely different image to see a child heading to school on that same cold winter day, not wearing a winter jacket. This is the very image Bristol Township School District and Police Department officials recently joined forces to fight with a significant financial contribution from philanthropist Gene Epstein
The school district said recently it has about 130 students experiencing serious stable housing challenges.
Dr. Meredith Leach School District Social Worker said, holding the drive and providing the needed clothing for students experiencing a period of housing displacement can and does offer not only clothing, but a sense of stability students need to thrive in class.
It’s no secret, Leach said, that a sense of stability leads to achievement. By providing basic needs, such as clothing, they (school district and police department) are trying to put their students in the best possible position to succeed and thrive, despite the housing challenges their families are facing.
Leach said families experiencing housing challenges and alike usually self-identify to the school district and fellow counselors and social workers system wide to coordinate resource support.
“The school district also offers school supplies, hygiene items and if we don’t have it in stock at our offices we order it online.”
“Sometimes something so minor to an outsider, like organizers for clothing drawers, for a student means the world because it gives them a sense of control over some of the life circumstances they’re experiencing.”
“We’re lucky enough to live in a county and state where services for students experiencing this kind of life challenge there are an array of services and resources available,” Leach said.
So lucky that neighboring businesses, such as Five Below in Tullytown, donated to the cause once the clothing drive was announced.
Credit: Joanne Ames – Lower Bucks Source
The Clothing Drive
Leach said the clothing drive idea came to fruition once she and her staff reviewed the numbers and realized about 130 students were in need.
In the human services field (i.e. social work) a measure of your professional success and community connection is always having that one yet-to-be used resource in your back pocket that social workers place on the table when faced with a potentially troubling situation, experts agree.
I saw a social media post from Neshaminy School District that said “we are filling our closets.”
Leach pulled out her “Ace Card” in the form of the Bristol Twp. Police Dept. Officer John Dobbs who in turn reached out to Epstein because they worked well together in the past.
The Epsteins donated to the cause as well as Walmart making a $500 contribution to the effort, Sgt. Jason Mancuso said.
We basically filled everything the school district needed for those 125 to 130 students, Mancuso said.
The Bristol Township Police Union (PBA) contributed a number of gift cards to the effort as well.
Leach in a moment of levity said of the clothing drive spending spree paid for by Epstein, “when do you ever get carte blanche to buy what you want as a social worker? Never!” She admitted to being a bit timid at first when selecting clothing items to purchase.
“Mancuso and Dobbs changed that for me. They grabbed boxes where I was grabbing packets,” she said, in joyous laughter.
The spacious school district office where the clothes are kept and distributed to school district social workers is filled with supplies for students now, thanks to Epstein giving Mancuso his credit card allowing Leach to spend thousands on students in need.
How could I not do it and live in good conscience, Epstein said.
“Those students were in immediate need,” he said “and it would take way too much time to set up a fundraising drive. Here’s my credit card and I don’t care what you spend. Get the kids what they need.”
Credit: Joanne Ames – Lower Bucks Source
“Whatever our students need we’re going to do everything we can to help them. We don’t want any of our students walking around with needs we can help them meet. I like to think we can help our students, and their families to be build a scaffold that they in turn can build upon.”
The response to the need by the Bristol Twp Police, the PBA and the Epsteins was amazing, Leach said.
The student-focused clothing drive officially launched February 2 and remains ongoing until the need no longer exists.
Any clean clothes, even if previously worn, can be dropped off at the Bristol Twp Police records department hallway or at the Bristol Township School Admin Building on Green Lane.
Opus Outreach Foundation joined the clothing drive shortly after it was announced. Items can be dropped off at Opus Elite Real Estate 119 Trenton Road, Fairless Hills. If you want to arrange a clothing drive donation you can call Christy Becker at 267 338-7518.
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