NJ Student Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Amid Hazing Probe: Report

WALL, NJ — Authorities are investigating multiple sexual assault incidents involving female students at Wall High School, according to a new NJ.com report.

A source with knowledge of the proceedings told the publication that it was unclear how many suspects or victims were involved and did not disclose who was conducting the investigation.

At least one student who was also implicated in the hazing allegations within the football program at the high school is facing a separate charge and has been accused of sexually assaulting at least one girl in an unrelated incident, according to New Jersey 101.5.

That student has been taken in and released from custody and will not be charged as an adult as he is underaged, the publication wrote.

Read more: Asbury Park Coach 'Partially Clothed' While Trespassing: Report

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Earlier this week, reports came out about a hazing allegation within the football program at the high school. Since then, the school announced that the playoff game scheduled for Friday had been canceled. Read more: Wall HS Football Game Cancelled Amid Hazing Probe

Three coaches who are also teachers have been put on leave at this point, a spokesperson from the New Jersey Education Association Dawn Hiltner told Patch.

"We have assigned NJEA attorneys to work with them," said Hiltner, adding that she was unsure of how long their leave would be.

The hazing incident reportedly involved half a dozen older players pinning down a younger player in the locker room. Two parents of students at the high school shared details with the publication about a video that showed the incident in which one of the players was holding a mop or a broomstick.

The video does not show sodomy explicitly, but the parents told the publication that they think that is what some of the older players were attempting. They also claimed that the attacks happened more than once during this season.

One parent told PIX11 that coaches and some people within the school district were aware of the "bad behavior" going on within the team but ignored it in fear of jeopardizing the success of the football program.

“They keep calling it hazing,” that parent said. “That’s not hazing — that’s sexual assault.”

Wall Township Board of Education President Ralph Addonizio confirmed that the hazing allegation was being investigated.

"Upon becoming aware of the allegation, we immediately contacted the appropriate authorities," Addonizio said in a statement over email. "There's a pending investigation, and the school district is cooperating fully. We cannot comment further on a pending investigation of a student matter."

The official said that all questions should be directed to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Mark Spivey told Patch that, due to the confidential nature of juvenile records, the office cannot confirm or deny any details.

Wall school board attorney Anthony Sciarrillo also told NJ.com that law enforcement and the district were conducting their own investigations.

"The matter's been referred to law enforcement, and the district's been doing its own investigation," Sciarrillo said. "When information becomes available that we can share with the public, we will do that."

In a letter sent to the school community, Superintendent Tracy Handerhan also said that the school had been in contact with authorities immediately upon finding out about the rumors.

"District and high school decision makers take the safety of our students and staff very seriously," Handerhan said.

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