DA drops rape charges against 5 Philadelphia teens

    Prosecutors have withdrawn charges against five teens accused of raping a 12-year-old girl inside a Philadelphia recreation center last month.

    The district attorney’s office says Friday that a “continued and thorough investigation” determined there wasn’t enough evidence to support the case.
    Police charged the boys, all ages 14 and 15, with rape, simple assault and other offenses in the July 16 incident.

    Investigators said the girl told officers she was approached by several boys who lured her into a stairwell and attacked her. Police said a staff member found the girl after seeing several boys running from the area.

    Prosecutors say the investigation is continuing.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal