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2 Charged In Connection With Alleged Towson Hazing Incident

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Two 21-year-old men have been charged in connection with a March hazing incident that caused a Towson University student to be hospitalized, according to Baltimore County Police.

An investigation by the department indicates that a 19-year-old Towson student attended an initiation event for the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity in the 300 block of Hillen Road on March 31.

During the event, he was forced to perform strenuous workouts, recite knowledge of the fraternity and drink unknown substances. Afterwards, he became extremely ill and was hospitalized. His injuries were "consistent with ingestion of an unknown caustic substance," police say.

A relative of the victim told WJZ he was forced to eat cat food and drink something that caused him to vomit blood.

Investigators say Evan Palmer Francis and Alexander James Cantor, also students, were present at the event. Francis was responsible for overseeing events and ensuring the safety of pledges, while Cantor was responsible for the communication with an oversight of the TKE pledges, according to police.

When Cantor discovered that the victim planned to seek medical treatment, he encouraged him not to, and also told him not to talk about the cause of his injuries, investigators say. Cantor also allegedly coordinated the removal of TKA-related items from the victim's dorm without his knowledge while he was hospitalized.

Francis, of the 18300 block of Wachs Terrace in Olney, and Cantor, of the 1200 block of Midwood Court in Bel Air, have both been charged with hazing and reckless endangerment.

Francis was released on $35,000 bail and Cantor was released on $50,000 bail. Both of their trials are set for September 19 in Towson District Court.

It's the latest blow to a fraternity fraught with problems.

From 2014 to 2016, universities in Maryland, Florida, Missouri, Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, Connecticut, Arizona, California, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Alaska have suspended their Tau Kappa Epsilon chapters — facing allegations of hazing, rape, sexual harassment, drug use, excessive drinking and wild parties.

A Rhode Island State student is suing that TKE chapter for torture.

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