GOSHEN – No charges are going to be
filed against members of the Monroe- Woodbury Junior Varsity Football
Team members, who allegedly subjected other members to verbal or physical
abuse.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said following investigation
in conjunction with the Woodbury Town Police Department, no charged could
be filed because the accused are all underage.
“All of the children had the defense of infancy because they were
less than 16 years of age,” the DA said. “Because of that
they can’t be charged with anything criminal. Does it mean nothing
happened? Absolutely not. It just means that given the circumstances of
our investigation, I am basically powerless to do anything because of
the ages.”
The investigation also revealed insufficient evidence to support a prosecution
of any staff member, Hoovler said.
While there can be no criminal charges against any students, the DA said
he would work with Monroe-Woodbury school officials to implement programs
to educate staff and students, and putting controls in place to ensure
that children participating in school sports are not harassed by other
students or adults.
The allegations were initially brought to Hoovler’s office last
fall by the acting superintendent of schools.
