It is certainly true that this is not the usual type of thing I blog about, but there are some details that are coming to light here that if true, are almost as shocking as the alleged molestation itself.
So let's deal with the accusation first. The picture (a link from Orlandosentinel.com) is of German Delatorre, 46, who was arrested earlier this week accused of sexual battery on a teenage boy. As I write this, he is being held at the Orange County Jail facing several charges including sexual battery to a child, lewd/lascivious molestation, lewd/lascivious conduct and a pornography charge, according to the Sentinel.
Police reports indicate that the child informed his father on Tuesday of this week about the alleged sexual battery and the Sentinel is reporting that Delatorre has admitted showing the teenager pornography but claimed that the molestation was "accidental".
Delatorre was a former youth soccer coach and met the child five years ago when he became his coach.
Now we are all outraged that yet another story like this has come to light. We are all disgusted. We all want to make sure this alleged dirt bag never sees freedom again and some of us want to do him physical harm. As a dad I am yet again convinced that I would be doing jail time if this was my kid and I knew the alleged attacker.
As a high school tennis coach I am horrified that the position of trust this "coach" held was abused in this way. Are there more victims out there? Who knows, but none of us would be shocked if there were. If you have ever coached at high school or youth level then you know you build a relationship of trust both with the kids in your care and their parents.
But the story continues and really it is this part of it that I want to deal with. You see over the five years that this has been going on, police reports indicate that the boy spent "weeks at a time" at Delatorre's home. They further inform us that as recently as December, the victim went on a cruise with him.
I have no idea how the alleged actions of this coach continued for so long. And the fact that the parents allowed their child to spend so much one on one time with him is incomprehensible for me. The fact that the parents allowed that closeness to develop over five years leads to just one question. . .
What the hell were they thinking?
You might think me cruel to even bring this up at a time that I'm sure is extremely difficult for them, but how on earth do you allow your teen boy go on a cruise with a grown man? How do you let him stay for "weeks at a time" at his house? How does this not strike you at best as "strange"?
The lesson to me is simple. As parents we are the best protectors of our own children. But we must be vigilant. We must watch. We must recognize "strange" when we see it. And perhaps most importantly of all, we must constantly question and educate our kids.
Finally from me - if this alleged scumbag turns out to be no longer alleged, then we must NEVER let him out. He does not deserve to live in our society. Oh and let's not waste any money while he is in jail on his "rehabilitation". We try him and if we find him guilty then we lock him up and throw away the damn key. And my last word goes to prosecutors. Do not EVER plea bargain with child molesters. NEVER.
If you wish to comment on this blog you may do so by e-mailing me at simontalkshow@gmail.com
You can read the entire Sentinel story here.
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