Police recommend abuse charges in Hamilton High football hazing case
Jul 24, 2017, 1:07 PM | Updated: 7:20 pm
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PHOENIX — The Chandler Police Department recommended abuse charges Monday in a case stemming from hazing allegations against Hamilton High School’s football team.
Police said it had recommended to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office that head coach Steve Belles and principal Ken James both be charged with child abuse and duty to report child abuse.
Both are felonies.
“As in any criminal case, we will continue to partner with law enforcement to assess the reasonable likelihood of conviction in a charging decision,” spokeswoman Amanda Jacinto said in an email.
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.
Jacinto had previously said prosecutors asked the court to consider charging the 16-year-olds as adults.
The crimes were allegedly committed between September 2015 and January 2017 on school grounds, but police said they first learned of them in February.
Jacinto said anyone with information on the case or who was hazed should contact the Chandler Police Department.