Editor’s note: the coach’s name is Laurel Highlands, and she was the coach of the YMCA of Laurel Highlands, which is the name of a region in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Laurel Highlands, who is on USA Swimming’s List of Permanently Suspended or Ineligible individuals, has been charged with “stalking and harassment” related to a juvenile male, TribLive.com says.
Police claim that Highlands sent more than 3,800 text messages to the boy, and claim that Highlands held the swimmer’s hand and massaged his back and legs; and gave the swimmer numerous gifts over a three-month period. Highlands has also been accused of routinely resting her head on the swimmers’ shoulder, having the boy alone at her house, and giving him more than 50 personalized care packages with handwritten messages, 28 greeting cards and letters with handwritten messages, clothing, sneakers, and swimming equipment.
According to the alleged victim’s mother, she asked them both to stop after noticing the large number of text messages between them.
After a search of phone records, police have pinpointed the source of a huge number of text messages to Highlands’ cell phone and an anonymous TracPhone – the latter of which Highlands denies was her.
The accusations in the criminal case are similar to the allegations for which she was banned by USA Swimming. No specific accusations of sexual contact have been made, though several allegations of other inappropriate contact have been made.
Highlands was the head coach of the YMCA of Laurel Highlands for more than 25 years, and prior to that was a member of the swim team. At the time of her ban from USA Swimming, there were no criminal charges.
Laurel Highlands was this kind of coach. Her former swimmers are not “Kool Aid Drinkers” and do not need to “Put Down the Kool Aid”. http://swimswam.com/a-letter-to-my-swim-coach/
Why would criminal charges be filed two years after the alleged incident?
Because they gather info like any other case.
I really do not believe this to be true.
Karma