Delaware
Delaware certified bogus degree of school counselor charged with raping child
Arnold never ‘attended or earned degree from Ohio University’
After police announced his arrest, WHYY News spoke with three close relatives who said Arnold never lived in Ohio or went to college there, either in person or virtually.
When WHYY News initially asked Lawson last week about Arnold’s possible falsification of his resume, she said the state — not the district — is responsible for verifying academic credentials that allow educators to get salary enhancements.
“The ultimate verifier of doctoral degrees, and master’s degrees … is the Delaware Department of Education,” Lawson said. “We have a letter on file from DDOE that verifies every employee’s graduate credential/licensure in order for that employee to be paid at the doctoral level.”
The state’s searchable public certification website, known as DEEDS (Delaware Educator Data System), shows that Arnold has a master’s degree in psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Ohio University’s main campus in the town of Athens. No doctorate in philosophy is listed.
While waiting for an answer from Ohio University last week about whether Arnold graduated or attended the school, WHYY News asked the Department of Education how officials certified that he had the degrees he had claimed.
A reporter also informed the state that relatives said he never lived in Ohio and the school did not offer advanced psychology degrees online.
Education Secretary Mark Holodick, a former Brandywine superintendent, and other state education officials would not agree to be interviewed about Arnold and his credentials.
But spokesperson Alison May replied in writing that Arnold’s “applications for graduate salary increments were validated by DDOE. Ohio University did offer this doctorate at the time of his attendance.”
May’s email did not explain how the state verified the degrees.
Dan Pittman, Ohio University’s communications director, later confirmed, however, that Arnold never “attended, or earned a degree from, Ohio University at any time.”
WHYY News shared that disclosure by the university with May, who several hours later sent a written statement acknowledging that the salary boost based on Arnold having a doctorate “was approved in error.”
May added that the state was trying to determine how that occurred.
“The department will be investigating how this approval was made and how to improve practices and our systems checks to prevent this kind of error from happening again,” May wrote. “We are alerting law enforcement, who will manage any investigation into potential false documentation.”
May also shared the state’s regulation for approving advanced degrees, and offered a partial explanation of how Arnold was able to exploit the state’s certification system.
The rule specifies that transcripts can be submitted by the university directly to the district, but that the state “in its discretion may also accept verification of an official transcript by other means if the authenticity of the transcript can be made.”
In Arnold’s case, May wrote that he applied for the higher salary when he was hired in October 2021, and “the transcripts used for this graduate salary increment (GSI) approval were submitted by the applicant directly.”
The state issued the approval letter in July 2022, and made his salary boost retroactive to his hiring date nine months earlier.
“The Department of Education recognizes your education level as a Doctorate Degree,” said the approval letter to Arnold and shared with Brandywine. WHYY News obtained the letter under the state’s Freedom of Information Act.
Asked for further explanation of how the fake transcripts were approved, May wrote that the state “can answer questions related to its findings once complete.”
Montagne said that in the past, when similar issues arose with an educator’s credentials, there usually weren’t “any repercussions. People are shocked and then nothing happens.”
But in Arnold’s case, where someone who faked advanced degrees has been charged with repeatedly raping a child, those responsible for the “ludicrous” error need to be disciplined and possibly fired, she said.
“Delaware’s a small state, so this wasn’t lost in bureaucracy,” Montagne said. “This is probably one or two people that aren’t doing their job. I don’t understand the reluctance that we have to just move on from people that are incompetent.”
Lawon said the debacle with Arnold’s degrees makes it painfully obvious that it’s time for the state, as well as all 19 Delaware school districts and charter schools, to double down on verifying that job candidates aren’t faking their credentials.
“This circumstance causes us all to look at our processes and procedures,” Lawson said. “After seeing what Ohio University wrote, what can we all do to make sure that this doesn’t happen again?”
Scenic drives across New Jersey reach from the coastal marshes of Cape May to the hardwood forests around the Delaware Water Gap. The routes below range from quick Sunday drives to multi-day regional tours. Along the Pine Barrens Scenic Byway, travellers wind through protected forests, wetlands, and historic villages. Old Mine Road traces 17th-century Dutch settlement routes through rugged terrain in one of the continent’s oldest continuously used roadways. Shorter routes like the Palisades Scenic Byway deliver sweeping Hudson River views with hiking access. The nine drives below prove the Garden State reputation holds up once you leave the interstate.
Delaware River Scenic Byway
Running about 34 miles from Trenton to Frenchtown, the Delaware River Scenic Byway follows the Delaware River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal, offering easy access to hiking trails and water-based recreation. The riverside towns are among New Jersey’s best for art and history. Starting in Trenton, the route follows the Delaware and Raritan Canal toward Lambertville. Trenton’s William Trent House Museum and Trenton City Museum make good starting points.
As the route approaches Lambertville, Washington Crossing State Park marks the site where George Washington’s Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 to attack Hessian forces at Trenton (a turning point in the Revolutionary War). The park now includes hiking trails and river views. The byway continues through the historic downtowns of Lambertville and Stockton, with Bull’s Island Recreation Area offering a riverfront stop before reaching the final destination in Frenchtown.
Pine Barrens Scenic Byway
Stretching 130 miles through southern New Jersey, the Pine Barrens Scenic Byway crosses pine forests, wetlands, and rivers while connecting unique historic villages through a network of interconnected routes. The New Jersey Pine Barrens (officially the Pinelands National Reserve, established in 1978 as the first U.S. national reserve) covers 1.1 million acres with a rare acidic sandy soil ecosystem that supports pygmy pitch pine forests found almost nowhere else in North America.
Starting near Batsto Village, a preserved 18th- and 19th-century iron-making and glass-working community, the route heads toward Tuckerton through the Pinelands, crossing waterways including the Mullica River. At Tuckerton, the route approaches Little Egg Harbor, a coastal estuary known for salt marshes, boating, and birdlife, before continuing toward the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
From there, the byway loops inland through Mullica and Weymouth, with opportunities for fishing and paddling on the Great Egg Harbor River. Continuing south, the byway extends toward Tuckahoe, a gateway to Cape May County coastal wetlands, with loops running toward Port Elizabeth and around Belleplain State Forest through towns like Dennis and Woodbine before reconnecting with other route segments.
Palisades Scenic Byway
The Palisades Scenic Byway offers sweeping views of the Hudson River as it winds along the Palisade Cliffs, one of New Jersey’s most striking geological formations. The cliffs formed about 200 million years ago when molten diabase magma intruded between sedimentary rock layers, later exposed when erosion stripped away the softer surrounding rock. The route covers 19 miles. Starting at Fort Lee Historic Park and Visitor Center, visitors can take in views of the George Washington Bridge and Revolutionary War exhibits before continuing onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway. Traveling north through Englewood Cliffs, there are stops at trailheads, picnic areas, and scenic overlooks.
Within Palisades Interstate Park, visitors can hike wooded trails, take in panoramic viewpoints, and explore the historic Cliffdale Manor ruins. The parkway continues north into New York State, extending the drive along the Hudson, but the New Jersey portion culminates at State Line Lookout, a high vantage point with expansive views of forested cliffs, distant Hudson Valley mountains, and the New York City skyline.
Bayshore Heritage Byway
Stretching nearly 122 miles through Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May counties, the Bayshore Heritage Byway covers the full range of New Jersey’s Delaware Bay coast. Dunes, coastal marshes, forested areas, and historic landmarks combine to make this one of the state’s most ecologically and culturally rich drives.
Start on Hawks Bridge Road in Salem County and head toward Salem City to explore its historic district (Salem has been continuously inhabited since 1675, making it one of New Jersey’s oldest towns). A network of local roads offers views of the Delaware Bay and estuary en route to Elsinboro Township. The Hancock House is the site of a 1778 Revolutionary War massacre where British troops killed over 20 sleeping Patriot militia. Continue to Bridgeton with stops at Bridgeton City Park and the Cohanzick Zoo within the park. Then continue to Mauricetown, with an optional detour to the East Point Lighthouse (built in 1849, New Jersey’s second-oldest lighthouse still in operation). The byway leads south into Cape May County, culminating at Cape May Point State Park.
Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway
The Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Scenic Byway covers 28 miles of farmland, historic homes, and quiet country roads. The drive begins in the historic district of Allentown Borough, following Main Street and then local roads toward the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area. From there, the byway winds through rural countryside toward Clayton Park, with optional detours to the Imlaystown Historic District or the Old Yellow Meeting House. The route continues past preserved farmland and open space before reaching the Walnford Historic District and Crosswicks Creek Park. The region is one of New Jersey’s most intact agricultural landscapes, partly due to strong state farmland preservation programs that have protected thousands of acres here since the 1980s.
Warren Heritage Scenic Byway
Running about 19 miles through mountain ranges and scenic valleys, the Warren Heritage Scenic Byway offers mountain views and opportunities to engage with local history along the way. One common route begins near Stewartsville and links local roads toward New Village. Bread Lock Park Museum along the route offers interactive exhibits on the region’s Morris Canal history (the canal operated from 1831 to 1924, carrying coal from Pennsylvania to New York). Heading toward Washington, the drive passes views of Pohatcong Mountain. The route continues through rural landscapes with views of Point Mountain, through Mansfield Township, Beattystown, and ending in Hackettstown.
Old Mine Road
Old Mine Road is often cited as one of the oldest continuously used roads in the United States, with Dutch colonial origins dating to the early 17th century when copper miners reportedly used the route to transport ore from the Pahaquarry mines to Kingston. While some of the exact 17th-century claims are disputed by historians, the road has been continuously used for at least 300 years. It runs through the Delaware Water Gap, where unpaved sections from centuries past can still be walked. Some segments close during winter due to harsh conditions; spring through autumn is the reliable season.
Starting near Columbia, the drive follows Old Mine Road with views of the Delaware River and the forested landscape of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. At a fork, head toward the Millbrook Village Historic Site, a preserved 19th-century rural village recreated and maintained by the National Park Service. Continuing toward Flatbrookville, the road winds through the recreation area past trails, waterfalls, and scenic mountain terrain.
Millstone Valley Scenic Byway
The Millstone Valley Scenic Byway winds through central New Jersey along the Millstone River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal. This picturesque route features Revolutionary War-era landmarks and offers both scenic waterside views and educational stops.
Begin in Millstone, heading toward the historic Bridgetender’s House at Blackwell’s Mill in the East Millstone Historic District. Continue along the Millstone River toward Kingston, passing historic neighbourhoods on River Road and Rocky Hill. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park offers hiking and water activities. From Kingston, follow the canal to Griggstown for views of the John Clyde Memorial Native Grassland Preserve and surrounding farmland. Cross the Griggstown Causeway back over the Millstone River and return to Millstone.
Western Highlands Scenic Byway
The Western Highlands Scenic Byway runs about 23 miles through Sussex County, following forest-lined roads and farmlands. The drive features hiking trails with scenic overlooks, wildlife viewing opportunities, and historic sites. Begin in Stockholm and head north toward Vernon, with views of the Hamburg Mountain Wildlife Management Area and Highland Lake. In Vernon, the byway connects to local roads looping through the highland terrain before continuing into Wawayanda State Park, where hiking access includes sections of the Appalachian Trail. The byway then extends north toward the New Jersey-New York border.
Nine New Jersey Drives, One Garden State
These nine routes cover the state’s full geographic range: Delaware Bay wetlands on the Bayshore, Pine Barrens pygmy pitch pine forests, Delaware Water Gap forests on Old Mine Road, Palisades cliff-top Hudson River views, Millstone and Warren Heritage farmland. The shared thread is that these drives reward leaving the interstate. New Jersey’s dense population masks how much forest, farmland, and preserved waterway the state actually contains.
Delaware
State Police Arrest Dover Man for Assault and Aggravated Menacing in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
Date Posted: Saturday, April 18th, 2026
The Delaware State Police have arrested 45-year-old Joseph Chapler, from Dover, Delaware, following an assault and aggravated menacing incident that occurred Thursday night in Dover.
On April 16, 2026, at approximately 10:20 p.m., troopers responded to the parking lot of Microtel, located at 1703 East Lebanon Road in Dover for a report of an assault and aggravated menacing. When troopers arrived, they learned that a man and woman were walking on a path behind the Microtel when they were approached by an unknown male suspect. The suspect threatened the victims, pointed a gun at them, and sprayed the female victim with pepper spray before running away. The victims ran to safety and called 9-1-1. The female victim was treated by EMS but refused medical attention.
Through investigative means, detectives identified Joseph Chapler as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On April 17th, Chapler was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $94,001 cash bond.
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Assault 2nd Degree (Felony) – 2 counts
- Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts
- Terroristic Threatening – 2 counts
- Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.
Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission recently announced that the Dewey Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department have both earned state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission.
As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing comprehensive, on-site inspections of each agency, reviewing their policies and procedures for compliance, and conducting interviews with department members.
“This milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware. The initial state accreditation of these police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability and excellence in law enforcement. I commend each department for their dedication to serving their communities with integrity and for upholding the highest standards,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security secretary and DPAC chair.
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