Police recommend more charges in Hamilton High football hazing case

PHOENIX — After new information was revealed, the Chandler Police Department has recommended to Maricopa County Attorney’s Office that an additional charge of child abuse be added in the case stemming from hazing allegations against Hamilton High School’s football team.

Ex-head coach Steve Belles and principal Ken James were both recommended by the police in late July to be charged with child abuse and duty to report child abuse, both of which are felonies.

The additional charge comes from a sixth victim that has disclosed a report of physical and sexual assault, according to Chandler Police.

Belles was placed on paid leave during the investigation.

Several Hamilton players were under investigation after hazing allegations surfaced in late March. Six players were arrested but only three were charged by police.

One 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault. Two 16-year-olds were charged as juveniles with kidnapping, aggravated assault and assault.

The crimes were allegedly committed between September 2015 and January 2017 on school grounds, but police said they first learned of them in February.

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