Headmaster of Delaware’s Tower Hill School resigns

The Tower Hill School says Headmaster Christopher Wheeler has stepped down amid a child abuse investigation.

In an email sent to parents today, the school says the attorney general’s office searched  Wheeler’s home and school office located on campus in Wilmington on Tuesday.

Earl Ball III, chairman of the school’s board of trustees, said in the email that the search was linked to a criminal investigation involving allegations of child abuse. Ball went on to say the state has no information about whether the investigation involves a current student. Ball says the 53-year-old agreed to step down and vacate the headmaster’s residence.

Tower Hill spokeswoman Nancy Schuckert says Wheeler’s resignation is pending the outcome of the investigation, adding no charges have been filed and any claims are merely allegations at this point.

The attorney general’s office released a statement saying, “We, that is the Attorney General’s office and the Wilmington Police Dept., are conducting an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct by Christopher Wheeler. We have no further comment about the facts of the investigation at this time. Anyone with information to provide to detectives should contact dojvictimcontact@state.de.us or call (800) 870-1790.”

The email and number connect to victims services staff members in the AG’s office. 

Wheeler joined Tower Hill School as headmaster in 2005, whose alums include Delaware Sen. Chris Coons and celebrity physician, Dr. Oz.