Quakertown, Pennsylvania, teens released from house arrest, ankle bracelets removed

The five Quakertown, Pennsylvania, teenagers arrested during an ICE protest last month were back in court Friday, and so far, only one teen has had the most serious charges dismissed.

All five students had their ankle bracelets removed at the conclusion of their hearings Friday and have been released from house arrest, according to two attorneys representing the teenagers.

Arresting the students

On Feb. 20, roughly 40 students walked out of Quakertown Community High School to protest ICE. After walking a few blocks, the protest turned physical when a man in a brown jacket stormed into the crowd of teens. It turned out the man was the chief of police and Quakertown borough manager, Scott McElree. Witnesses said he never identified himself as a police officer and was dressed in regular clothes.

"I think the uniformed officers did their best to de-escalate the situation," said Don Souders, an attorney for a 16-year-old boy who was arrested that day. "It wasn't until [McElree] sprung himself on the kids that things went sideways."

Five students were arrested for assaulting the McElree and spent several nights in custody.

Charges against the students

Now, one month later, four of them had their hearings continued and are preparing for juvenile trials, including the 15-year-old girl put in what appeared to be a chokehold by the police chief. 

Tim Prendergast, her attorney, said he hopes this matter is resolved before it reaches a trial.

"Our position is this should have been dismissed from the beginning," Prendergast said. "I believe that my client is a victim and not an aggressor."

Ettore Angelo's client, another 15-year-old girl, says the DA needs to drop the charges against the kids and look more into holding the police chief accountable.

"We are four weeks past this event," Angelo said. "He's supposedly being investigated. I've heard nothing about the investigation."

What's next?

CBS News Philadelphia reached out to the Bucks County District Attorney's office. A spokesman said they can't comment on juvenile cases and they are investigating the police response at the protest the day the teens were arrested, adding, "As we continue to gather evidence, we renew our request to the community for any footage, photos, or information that they may have to ensure a thorough investigation."

A 16-year-old boy was the only one to accept an agreement with the district attorney's office which includes dismissing the felonies and six months of probation, community service and a meeting with the police chief before the misdemeanors are also dismissed, according to his attorney, Don Souders.

"It's been incredibly dramatic" Souders said, "and that's why we entered the consent decree because it brings closure to this episode which has been a total trauma."

CBS News Philadelphia reached out to McElree's attorney numerous times over the last few weeks and has not heard back.