WILSON — Two Wilson High School baseball coaches have been suspended as an investigation continues into the alleged sexual abuse of at least two junior varsity players by members of the varsity team, School Superintendent Michael S. Wendt said Monday.
Varsity coach Tom Baia and junior varsity coach Bill Atlas were among at least three adults and about 30 students aboard a bus April 17 that was headed from a pair of baseball games in Niagara Falls back to Wilson when some of the varsity players took some of the JV players to the back of the bus, state police said.
At least two of the younger players were sexually abused when teasing turned into hazing and then spun out of control, troopers said during a Monday afternoon news conference.
Initially, the students were “subjected to physical abuse involving slapping, punching and kicking,” but then things “progressed to a level that rose to criminal activity,” said State Police Maj. Christopher L. Cummings.
Three varsity baseball team members were arraigned Friday in Town Court on felony counts of third-degree aggravated sexual abuse and misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child. One of the players was charged with two counts of sex abuse.
The sex-abuse charges involve crimes in which an object is
forcibly inserted into another person, according to troopers, who declined to elaborate on that aspect of the Wilson case.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by JMNY83
