Gerlach denies any wrongdoing after being charged with child endangerment in Lehigh County

Gerlach denies any wrongdoing after being charged with child endangerment in Lehigh County

By Tyler Pratt

July 1, 2021

This is an update on our previous story.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach denies any wrongdoing after being charged with child endangerment in Lehigh County and says she has not committed any crimes.

Her lawyer suggests the Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin’s actions are politically motivated.

According to a news release from the DA, Gerlach dropped a 16-year-old boy off at a homeless encampment last July while she was employed as an outreach worker at Valley Youth House. The statement says the minor was later solicited for a sexual act at the encampment. 

Atty. Ed Angelo, Gerlach’s lawyer, says Martin released information about the case that was taken out of context and in a statement questioned if the charges were part of a quote “political hit job” aimed at destroying Gerlach’s career as a longtime advocate for the homeless. 

Martin says the information released to the public was appropriate and legal, and emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. 

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