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Youth football officials charged in alleged camp assaults

SOMERSET, Pa — Members of the Steel Valley Midget Football Association have been charged with endangering the welfare of children after allegations of abuse at a football camp at Laurel Hill State Park back in July.

Investigators charged Aaron Knight, director, Michael Todd, camp director, and Loren Ford, executive director with the third-degree felony after an investigation into assault allegations at Camp Ruffhouse.

Channel 11 was first to tell you about the allegations and show you the photos of the 11-year-old son and his deep bruises in July.

Wednesday we learned the alleged abuse went far beyond the physical. According to the Somerset County District Attorney, there was abuse of a sexual nature.

Somerset County District Attorney Lisa Lazzari -Strasiser said, "These are 11 and 14-year-old children exposed to emotional and physical abuse. The tipping point was when we had reports during showers or use of bathroom there was inappropriate exposure touching of private parts assault of private parts.”

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Lazzari -Strasise said her office brought felony charges after directors of the football association and its camp leaders were questioned about the disturbing reports and they refused to cooperate.

Somerset County investigators told Channel 11, that at this point, they do not know how many possible victims there are but at least one parent is relieved investigators believed her son.

Investigators from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Laurel Hill State Park, with assistance from officers from Forbes State Forest launched the investigation after people in the park reported seeing a boy from the camp being assaulted by two other boys on a park road.

The 11-year-old boy told investigators he was running away from the camp because he was being physically and verbally abused by other campers. The boy also claimed to be mistreated by coaches.

Investigators received a similar report from another boy who attended the camp.  He returned home from the camp with injuries including a black eye and a swollen lip.

Both boys said they told the camp about the abuse, but the problems were not addressed.  Instead, investigators said the campers who complained claimed to be called snitches, and were told to hit back and were punished during practices.

Channel 11 spoke to parents of the boys after they returned home from the camp.

Investigators said the Steel Valley Midget Football Association has refused to provide rosters of camp participants and staff, so they are unable to identify any further victims or suspects.

WPXI's Renee Kaminski spoke with the Steel Valley Midget Football Association's director Aaron Knight after his arraignment.  He had no comment.

Anyone with information is urged to contact officers at Laurel Hill State Park.

 

Cox Media Group

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