Rashawn Harris, 37, of Philadelphia. (Credit: Central Bucks Regional Police)
A Philadelphia man and former staff member at Foundations Behavioral Health in New Britain Borough accused of strangling and assaulting a teenager who spit in his face was sentenced to probation this week after pleading guilty to summary harassment and disorderly conduct charges.
Rashawn James Harris, 38, was initially charged with felony counts of strangulation and aggravated assault, misdemeanor assault and three summary harassment and a disorderly conduct charge, according to court documents. Harris turned himself in to the authorities on Jan. 3, 2025.
Harris was sentenced to three months of consecutive probation by Bucks Commons Pleas Judge Jeffrey Finley on each of the four summary guilty pleas. He was not prosecuted on the other offenses. Harris is to have no contact with the victim, according to court records.
Police began an investigation into the alleged assault after receiving a Childline complaint on Sept. 3, 2024. Authorities alleged Harris grabbed a 14-year-old juvenile patient by the neck and threw him to the floor, following an altercation where the juvenile spit in Harris’s face at the 833 E. Butler Ave. facility.
Harris was represented by Bensalem defense attorney Paul Lang, according to court documents.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
