Delaware youth counselor faces charges of assault, offensive touching

A physical altercation with a 12-year-old resident of a Delaware psychiatric facility has led to charges against a counselor.

37-year-old Stephan Stockton of Wilmington has been arraigned on charges of third-degree assault and offensive touching, and is free on his own recognizance.  Stockton has also been ordered to have no contact with the child. 

State Police say the charges stem for a May 5th incident at the Terry Children’s Psychiatric Center in New Castle.  Stockton, a youth counselor at the facility was attempting to restrain and control the boy who had become upset when his family had departed after a visit. 

According to investigators Stockton caused the boy to fall on the gym floor, then slammed him to the floor again when the boy got up and started swinging.  The boy was treated by the center’s medical personnel for minor injuries to his body and his face.