A Hazleton Area School District instructor was suspended following allegations of indecent assault of a minor and corruption of minors.

Charges against Joseph A. Disabella Jr., 38, of Sugarloaf, Luzerne County, were filed Dec. 23 by Kline Township police.

Police said the offenses stem from a Nov. 30 incident involving an 11-year-old girl in Kline Township near McAdoo.

Disabella Jr. is diesel mechanic instructor at the Hazleton Area Career Center.

He is free on $75,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled to be held Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli in Frackville.

Hazleton Area School District Superintendent Brian Uplinger issued a statement calling the charges, which include indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, “deeply troubling.”

Uplinger noted that the charges do not involve any Hazleton district students or Disabella Jr.’s role as an instructor. He also encouraged anyone with relevant information or concerns to contact the Kline Township police.

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and maintaining a learning environment where every child feels supported and valued is Hazleton Area School District’s highest priority. We recognize that this news is deeply distressing for members of our community,” according to Uplinger’s statement.