Children’s charity staff encouraged children to take part in the “Fight Club”

Two employees of the Children's Aid Society in Chambersburg, Franklin County, are accused of encouraging children to join a “fight club.” Sheldon Cross, 37, and Matthew Stouder, 25, are both charged with nine counts of enticement of a minor and seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Chambersburg police said video footage shows Cross and Stouder watching seven teens engage in 10 fights on June 2 and doing nothing to stop them. One child involved told investigators that Cross taught children self-defense techniques. Another child said the fights also involved punching and kicking techniques, but strikes above the neck were not allowed. The child said Cross told the children not to tell anyone about the fights and that Stouder supported him. Cross and Stouder also allegedly recorded the fights to send to other employees.