Whistleblower Detective Alleges Buffalo Public Schools Obstructed Investigations into Child Safety Incidents

Whistleblower Detective Alleges Buffalo Public Schools Obstructed Investigations into Child Safety Incidents

By: Americae Primus

April 27, 2025, Buffalo Police Department Detective Richard Hy, a 13-year veteran of the Special Victims Unit and an active-duty National Guard Drill Sergeant, appeared on the Unsubscribe Podcast, hosted by combat veterans. During the emotional interview, Hy accused Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) of obstructing police investigations into serious incidents involving child abuse, sexual assaults, and attempted kidnappings. Visibly struggling to maintain composure, Hy revealed that the severity of the allegations led him to seek professional mental health support, a response he described as reasonable given the gravity of the situation.

The day after the podcast aired, BPS issued a statement condemning Hy for discussing the allegations publicly, labeling his claims as “untruths.” The controversy escalated, prompting the Buffalo Board of Education to announce a third-party investigation on April 29, 2025, to assess the legitimacy of Hy’s accusations. Responses from BPS, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, and Buffalo’s Acting Mayor followed, with community reactions split between support for Hy’s whistleblowing and skepticism due to his past disciplinary record.

Hy detailed a disturbing incident that occurred on February 11, 2025, at Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School, located at 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Buffalo, New York, adjacent to the Buffalo Museum of Science. The school is connected to the museum by unsecured interior doors, allowing public access. According to Hy, a 30-year-old man, Shane Cronin from Lombard, Illinois, entered the school and attempted to abduct a boy and a girl whose ages were not disclosed. A School Resource Officer (SRO) and an assistant principal intervened, with the latter sustaining minor injuries after being punched and shoved into a wall by Cronin, who then fled back into the museum. He was later arrested based on descriptions provided by school staff.

Hy alleged that BPS downplayed the incident’s severity and failed to notify the boy’s parents, who only learned of the event when their son, who had soiled himself during the ordeal, recounted it. The girl’s parents received a vague explanation from the school. Hy further claimed that surveillance video capturing the incident was deleted by school officials, but a staff member had recorded it on their cellphone and provided it to investigators, revealing the involvement of a second child. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office later obtained this video, leading to escalated charges against Cronin. Initially charged with misdemeanor trespassing, Cronin faced a grand jury indictment on May 7, 2025, for four felonies: second-degree attempted kidnapping, third-degree burglary, attempted luring of a child, and second-degree attempted assault, plus a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Cronin, who reportedly has a history of similar offenses in Wisconsin, pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.

Hy also highlighted another case involving a teenage girl who reported parental abuse to a school counselor at an unspecified BPS school. The counselor allegedly dismissed the claims, citing the student’s history of lying. Even after the student provided video evidence of physical abuse, the counselor took no action. It was only when the girl appeared with a swollen, bruised face that another teacher intervened, forcing the principal to notify police. The parent was subsequently arrested and charged with child abuse. Hy questioned why police were not involved sooner in both cases, alleging that BPS and its legal team exert undue influence over SROs, directing them to file reports as “information only” or under “miscellaneous” categories, making them difficult to locate in police databases. This practice, Hy claimed, obscures incidents unless parents directly request reports at local police stations, where they often cannot find records under their child’s name.

Hy further alleged that BPS’s legal team has instructed school officials to ignore subpoenas and avoid speaking to police about incidents reported by parents. Since September 2021, Buffalo Police have responded to over 17,700 calls from BPS schools, a figure Hy cited as evidence of systemic issues. New York, a mandatory reporting state, requires educators to report suspected child abuse or endangerment to authorities, a protocol Hy claims BPS routinely violates.

Hy’s allegations sparked outrage among some parents and community advocates, who criticized BPS for a lack of transparency. Kareema Morris, a community advocate and Dr. Charles R. Drew alumna, organized a forum to address school safety concerns. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office confirmed an ongoing investigation into the abduction case, with potential for additional charges. Meanwhile, BPS maintained its commitment to student safety, denying Hy’s claims and emphasizing the third-party investigation to address the allegations.

Hy’s credibility has faced scrutiny due to his disciplinary history. Between 2015 and 2021, eight complaints against him were sustained, including incidents of excessive force and discourteous behavior. One involved Hy calling a suspect “Fat Boy,” and another stemmed from an off-duty incident where he detained a man attacking vehicles with a skateboard after 17 related 911 calls went unresolved. Both complaints were handled internally without charges. The New York State Attorney General’s Office flagged Hy’s conduct in 2024, recommending additional training, and he is listed on the Erie County DA’s Brady List, indicating credibility concerns for court proceedings but his inclusion on the list remains unsubstantiated.  The Erie County DA’s office has not publicly refuted Hy’s inclusion. The Unsubscribed Podcast’s, Nic “The Fat Electrician,” asserted that Hy was not on the list; no evidence was provided to contradict the either parties claim. BPS officials have cited these incidents to question Hy’s reliability, while supporters, including the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, argue that his whistleblowing reflects a commitment to child safety despite potential career risks. 

Hy’s allegations raise serious questions about accountability within BPS and the role of SROs in reporting incidents. The case underscores the importance of mandatory reporting laws and the need for transparent communication between schools, police, and parents. Parents are encouraged to verify their local school district’s compliance with state reporting laws and to investigate how SROs handle incident reports. As the third-party investigation into BPS continues, the outcome may shape future policies to ensure student safety and prevent alleged cover-ups in Buffalo and beyond.