Two Wilson High School baseball coaches were charged Tuesday with endangering the welfare of a child as part of the continuing investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of at least two players on a school bus earlier this month.
Varsity coach Thomas J. Baia, 40, and junior varsity coach William M. Atlas, 35, were released on their own recognizance and ordered to return to Town Court on the misdemeanor charge May 8.
Baia is a Wilson Middle School math teacher who has coached the varsity team for seven years.
Atlas is a physical education teacher at Thomas Mark Elementary School.
Three members of the varsity baseball team were charged Friday with sexually abusing at least two members of the junior varsity team April 17, as the teams were headed back to Wilson from two games in Niagara Falls.
Baia and Atlas were among at least three adults on the bus.
The coaches could face up to a year in jail if convicted, though most endangerment cases involve less-serious sentences.
The teachers, who both live in Wilson, were suspended from their coaching duties Monday. They both worked in their schools Tuesday but were suspended with pay following their arrests after the class day ended, Superintendent Michael S. Wendt said.
Police said the two coaches failed to supervise the team on the bus trip back to Wilson, which warranted the endangerment charges.
“We believe they could have taken actions that possibly could have prevented this from happening,” State Police Lt. Richard S. Allen said.
“It was more of what they didn’t do than what they did do,” Allen added later.
Allen said he would not comment on whether police believe the coaches knew what was happening.
The teachers may face additional charges, he said.
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