October 12, 2016
A headmaster at a preparatory school in Montgomery County is on leave for an alleged assault after finding drugs in his son's backpack, the school's board of trustees announced Wednesday.
The Haverford School placed Dr. John Nagl on administrative leave following an arrest for simple assault over the weekend, chairman William C. Yoh wrote in a letter to the school community.
Yoh called the matter a "deeply personal family matter," and noted that Nagl is fully cooperating with the school.
According to the affidavit obtained by 6ABC, Nagl allegedly told police he punished his son Saturday after discovering marijuana in a backpack. Two days later, Nagl said he saw his son talking on his cell phone in violation of his punishment so he took the phone out of his son's hands. A physical altercation ensued, which Nagl ended by putting his son in a choke hold.
Nagl's son later reported the incident to authorities, which led to Nagl's arrest.
According to the school's website, Nagl is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and later earned master's and doctoral degrees from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
Assistant Headmaster Mark Thorburn was promoted to acting headmaster as the school administrators "navigate this difficult situation," Yoh said.
