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Site SearchSanford, N.C. — A former coach at a Sanford children's athletics facility faces charges that he molested 11 children, authorities said.
Investigators said they believe that Phillip Thompson, 31, inappropriately touched 11 children at the Sanford Academy of Cheerleading, Martial Arts, Dance and Gymnastics, at 2731 Lee Ave.
Thompson worked as a trainer and coach at the facility from 2006 until the beginning of 2008, police said.
Officers arrested him Thursday near Charlotte and transported him to the Lee County Jail, where he was being held on a $1 million bond.
The accusations against Thompson emerged when a young girl told her sister about the alleged abuse. The girl's sister told their parents, who went to the police.
Other parents then came forward, police said, because their children's attitudes about the school had changed. The children no longer wanted to go to the academy, a marked change from when they had started there, parents said.
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Second, I own a business and when someone calls about a reference, I will state that the person worked for me and nothing more. I will not even state if they are eligible to be rehired. I've been sued by a former employee for stating they could not be rehired and will not go through that again. We won the case, but it was a massive stress on me and my family plus very expensive.
March 7, 2008 4:28 p.m.
March 7, 2008 4:17 p.m.
The police say he DID it; not just the parents or the media.
In order for police to outright say it, they need a plethora of evidence or they'd be sued for slander.
Praying for the children.
God bless.
Rev. RB
March 7, 2008 4:04 p.m.
Parents, I hope that you will always ask your child a few questions about the lessons. This could be at school or any place else where young kids are with an adult. You may head something like this off before someone does more than he is accused of doing.
March 7, 2008 3:46 p.m.
March 7, 2008 3:23 p.m.