GUILTY OR - Chad Schacht for student sex abuse, Eugene, 2010
- Thread starter Missizzy
- Start date
Thank you so much for checking back in with us CSSM and keeping us posted. My guess is that they were fired due to some direct knowledge of Mr. Schacht's behavior which they failed to report. If so, there could be charges brought against them as they are mandated reporters. I'll be watching this. Please note, that this is merely an assumption as I have no details. They could have all been fired for totally unrelated issues. However, that would be quite a coincidence.
The lesson here is, when in doubt--report!! A child's safety and well-being might be at stake.
I have a suspicion that other team members also had knowledge. Teens will often confide in friends long before they will an adult. They are not mandated reporters as they are children but I hope they have been counseled as to what they should do differently next time if they suspect inappropriate contact between an adult and a minor.
The lesson here is, when in doubt--report!! A child's safety and well-being might be at stake.
I have a suspicion that other team members also had knowledge. Teens will often confide in friends long before they will an adult. They are not mandated reporters as they are children but I hope they have been counseled as to what they should do differently next time if they suspect inappropriate contact between an adult and a minor.
It turns out that Schacht was not only the young girl's coach but also a family friend. The victim speaks out:
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cm...2-55/schacht-sheldon-middle-teacher-coach.csp
Coach gets prison term
"Required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, Chad Schacht will always bear the label he earned by initiating and engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old athlete he coached at Sheldon High School.
His victim, meanwhile, vowed Wednesday to bounce back from the struggles she has endured since her family and now-former classmates learned of the affair [NOT AN AFFAIR!!]..."
and
".... Lane County Circuit Court judge sentenced him to 5½ years in prison for the crimes..."
and
"....The teen, who plans to transfer to another school, said she is determined to recover from the difficult experience. “I can forgive myself for being clueless, and letting you in my life like that,” she told Schacht during the hearing. “Eventually, what you’ve done to me will make me stronger....”
and
"....The victim said in court that she often felt fearful during her relationship with Schacht, who had been a family friend for several years. The girl ran last fall on the cross-country team that Schacht helped coach at Sheldon High, but has since withdrawn from the school because many of her classmates blamed her for Schacht’s arrest...."
and
"....the affair [NOT AN AFFAIR!!] came to light after the mother of one of the victim’s friends learned of it. Investigators later discovered explicit text messages Schacht had sent to the girl..."
more at link
This reporter needs to be reminded that an "affair" involves consensual adults. And, IMO, Sheldon has its work cut out for them helping these team mates understand that the victim is NEVER to blame. She's a child.
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cm...2-55/schacht-sheldon-middle-teacher-coach.csp
Coach gets prison term
"Required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, Chad Schacht will always bear the label he earned by initiating and engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old athlete he coached at Sheldon High School.
His victim, meanwhile, vowed Wednesday to bounce back from the struggles she has endured since her family and now-former classmates learned of the affair [NOT AN AFFAIR!!]..."
and
".... Lane County Circuit Court judge sentenced him to 5½ years in prison for the crimes..."
and
"....The teen, who plans to transfer to another school, said she is determined to recover from the difficult experience. “I can forgive myself for being clueless, and letting you in my life like that,” she told Schacht during the hearing. “Eventually, what you’ve done to me will make me stronger....”
and
"....The victim said in court that she often felt fearful during her relationship with Schacht, who had been a family friend for several years. The girl ran last fall on the cross-country team that Schacht helped coach at Sheldon High, but has since withdrawn from the school because many of her classmates blamed her for Schacht’s arrest...."
and
"....the affair [NOT AN AFFAIR!!] came to light after the mother of one of the victim’s friends learned of it. Investigators later discovered explicit text messages Schacht had sent to the girl..."
more at link
This reporter needs to be reminded that an "affair" involves consensual adults. And, IMO, Sheldon has its work cut out for them helping these team mates understand that the victim is NEVER to blame. She's a child.
Here's a forum which was absolutely full of total support for Mr. Schacht when he was first arrested. So many people absolutely KNEW that he could NEVER do something like this. One person stated "He is not a pervert!". No doubt this type of forum, available to high school kids, was instrumental in causing the victim's team mates to turn against her. That is so wrong, IMO.
I noticed that someone has recently challenged those who were so supportive of Schacht and unbelieving of the young victim, to come back on board and apologize. I doubt that will happen. However, I do hope that this experience causes all those touched by this man's criminal actions, to stop and think.....and to pry open their minds a teensy bit so the truth can seep in.
http://teamrants.com/2010/10/chad-schacht-of-sheldon-arrested/
I noticed that someone has recently challenged those who were so supportive of Schacht and unbelieving of the young victim, to come back on board and apologize. I doubt that will happen. However, I do hope that this experience causes all those touched by this man's criminal actions, to stop and think.....and to pry open their minds a teensy bit so the truth can seep in.
http://teamrants.com/2010/10/chad-schacht-of-sheldon-arrested/
Article in the Register Guard about Chris Yorges being fired:
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cm...50-41/yorges-program-sheldon-beat-schacht.csp
I find it ridiculous.
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cm...50-41/yorges-program-sheldon-beat-schacht.csp
I find it ridiculous.
CSSM--Ever since you posted that other coaches had been fired, I've been watching. I hadn't seen any articles and I even checked the coaching jobs sites to see if Sheldon was hiring. Nothing there either. So, thank you for posting this.
I'm confused, though. What are you referring to as being ridiculous? Do you believe that Yorges was fired inappropriately?
If Mr. Yorges had knowledge of the rapes, he should face charges and not be merely fired, IMO. This would be just another case of shuffling a helping professional to another site, where the same problem could likely occur. If, however, there's no connection to Schacht, the district needs to be clear about that too. To me, it sounds as if the district is "cleaning house" to attempt to regain their footing concerning trust in the community.
Can you weigh in and give us your thoughts, as one close to the situation.
I'm confused, though. What are you referring to as being ridiculous? Do you believe that Yorges was fired inappropriately?
If Mr. Yorges had knowledge of the rapes, he should face charges and not be merely fired, IMO. This would be just another case of shuffling a helping professional to another site, where the same problem could likely occur. If, however, there's no connection to Schacht, the district needs to be clear about that too. To me, it sounds as if the district is "cleaning house" to attempt to regain their footing concerning trust in the community.
Can you weigh in and give us your thoughts, as one close to the situation.
It looks as if the Victim is trying to get rich off the situation..
Teacher’s sex crimes spark lawsuit
Both the Eugene and Springfield districts are accused of failing to protect a 15-year-old girl
BY KAREN MCCOWAN
The Register-Guard
Published: (Friday, Oct 21, 2011 05:01AM) Midnight, Oct. 21
The Eugene and Springfield school districts are facing an $18.6 million lawsuit filed on behalf of a former Sheldon High School student who was sexually abused by a Springfield middle school teacher who worked part-time as a Sheldon cross-country coach. The bulk of the suit targets both districts, and it is not clear how much each would pay if the action is successful.
Chad Gerald Schacht, 41, is serving a 5½-year prison term after pleading guilty in December to seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse of the 15-year-old girl. In a plea petition, he acknowledged initiating a sexual relationship that included sexual intercourse with someone too young to consent.
The suit, filed by the girl’s guardian, alleges that the districts and their employees failed to meet their duty to protect the girl against foreseeable harm. It accuses the Eugene district of failing to adequately investigate, train and supervise Schacht. It accuses the Springfield district of failing to act on and alert Sheldon officials to previous “inappropriate activities” involving Schacht. The suit does not detail those alleged activities. Schacht worked for more than a decade as a teacher at Agnes Stewart Middle School.
Eugene School District officials are aware of the suit, but do not comment publicly on pending litigation, spokeswoman Kerry Delf said.
The Springfield district’s legal counsel has received and is reviewing the suit, but the district otherwise has no immediate comment, spokesman Jeff DeFranco said.
The suit, initially filed in Lane County Circuit Court, was removed this week to federal court by both school districts. Under federal law, lawsuit defendants may “remove” a state court action to federal court if the latter court also has jurisdiction over the action. The suit does not specify why the two school districts opted to do so, but some defendants prefer the federal court system because, for example, a single judge is likely to handle the case from start to finish.
The lawsuit alleges that Schacht abused the girl “approximately 30 separate times” between Aug. 30 and Oct. 31 of last year. It says he did so within the scope of his employment, using his positions as a cross-country coach and teacher to gain the victim’s trust and confidence.
The lawsuit claims the abuse caused the girl to suffer $10 million in non-economic damages due to physical pain, severe emotional pain, distress, depression, anxiety, humiliation, embarrassment, psychological fear and psychological and emotional trauma.
At Schacht’s sentencing hearing in December, prosecutor Erik Hasselman said the victim was forced to withdraw from Sheldon and transfer to another school because many classmates and fellow student athletes blamed her for Schacht’s arrest.
The lawsuit also accuses the Eugene district of failing to “educate and prohibit its employees” from harassing the victim. In claims against only that district, it seeks $500,000 in damages for Cal Young Middle School teacher Cody Loy’s alleged public harassment of the victim on Feb. 24; and $300,000 for Sheldon High department assistant Julia Girod’s alleged public harassment of the victim and her guardian on March 6. Loy and Girod did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit also seeks nearly $8 million in economic damages: $7.5 million for her “impairment of earning capacity” due to the abuse; $290,000 for lifelong treatment of her emotional and psychological injuries; and $100,000 in additional education expenses.
It says the Eugene district was negligent in failing to adequately investigate Schacht’s “background and conduct” before hiring him as Sheldon’s assistant cross-country coach; in failing to properly train and supervise him regarding sexual contact with student athletes; in failing to ensure that the abused girl had a suitable chaperone during school-related events; and in failing to immediately report Schacht’s abuse of the girl.
The suit alleges that Springfield officials were negligent in failing to alert Eugene school officials about Schacht’s alleged past “inappropriate activities” and in allowing him to remain on staff as an Agnes Stewart teacher after learning of the alleged conduct. Springfield officials also failed to properly train and supervise Schacht regarding sexual contact with students, the suit says.
Schacht is a former University of Oregon distance runner whose arrest last October shocked many in the local track and field community. He had also served several years as an assistant head coach for the Emerald Valley Track Club.
As part of his sentence, Schacht is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Following his release from prison, he will be barred from any contact with juveniles without written authorization from his parole and probation officer. Schacht also was ordered to pay the victim $5,000 toward her counseling and education expenses.
http://www.registerguard.com/web/ne.../schacht-suit-girl-districts-lawsuit.html.csp
Teacher’s sex crimes spark lawsuit
Both the Eugene and Springfield districts are accused of failing to protect a 15-year-old girl
BY KAREN MCCOWAN
The Register-Guard
Published: (Friday, Oct 21, 2011 05:01AM) Midnight, Oct. 21
The Eugene and Springfield school districts are facing an $18.6 million lawsuit filed on behalf of a former Sheldon High School student who was sexually abused by a Springfield middle school teacher who worked part-time as a Sheldon cross-country coach. The bulk of the suit targets both districts, and it is not clear how much each would pay if the action is successful.
Chad Gerald Schacht, 41, is serving a 5½-year prison term after pleading guilty in December to seven counts of second-degree sexual abuse of the 15-year-old girl. In a plea petition, he acknowledged initiating a sexual relationship that included sexual intercourse with someone too young to consent.
The suit, filed by the girl’s guardian, alleges that the districts and their employees failed to meet their duty to protect the girl against foreseeable harm. It accuses the Eugene district of failing to adequately investigate, train and supervise Schacht. It accuses the Springfield district of failing to act on and alert Sheldon officials to previous “inappropriate activities” involving Schacht. The suit does not detail those alleged activities. Schacht worked for more than a decade as a teacher at Agnes Stewart Middle School.
Eugene School District officials are aware of the suit, but do not comment publicly on pending litigation, spokeswoman Kerry Delf said.
The Springfield district’s legal counsel has received and is reviewing the suit, but the district otherwise has no immediate comment, spokesman Jeff DeFranco said.
The suit, initially filed in Lane County Circuit Court, was removed this week to federal court by both school districts. Under federal law, lawsuit defendants may “remove” a state court action to federal court if the latter court also has jurisdiction over the action. The suit does not specify why the two school districts opted to do so, but some defendants prefer the federal court system because, for example, a single judge is likely to handle the case from start to finish.
The lawsuit alleges that Schacht abused the girl “approximately 30 separate times” between Aug. 30 and Oct. 31 of last year. It says he did so within the scope of his employment, using his positions as a cross-country coach and teacher to gain the victim’s trust and confidence.
The lawsuit claims the abuse caused the girl to suffer $10 million in non-economic damages due to physical pain, severe emotional pain, distress, depression, anxiety, humiliation, embarrassment, psychological fear and psychological and emotional trauma.
At Schacht’s sentencing hearing in December, prosecutor Erik Hasselman said the victim was forced to withdraw from Sheldon and transfer to another school because many classmates and fellow student athletes blamed her for Schacht’s arrest.
The lawsuit also accuses the Eugene district of failing to “educate and prohibit its employees” from harassing the victim. In claims against only that district, it seeks $500,000 in damages for Cal Young Middle School teacher Cody Loy’s alleged public harassment of the victim on Feb. 24; and $300,000 for Sheldon High department assistant Julia Girod’s alleged public harassment of the victim and her guardian on March 6. Loy and Girod did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit also seeks nearly $8 million in economic damages: $7.5 million for her “impairment of earning capacity” due to the abuse; $290,000 for lifelong treatment of her emotional and psychological injuries; and $100,000 in additional education expenses.
It says the Eugene district was negligent in failing to adequately investigate Schacht’s “background and conduct” before hiring him as Sheldon’s assistant cross-country coach; in failing to properly train and supervise him regarding sexual contact with student athletes; in failing to ensure that the abused girl had a suitable chaperone during school-related events; and in failing to immediately report Schacht’s abuse of the girl.
The suit alleges that Springfield officials were negligent in failing to alert Eugene school officials about Schacht’s alleged past “inappropriate activities” and in allowing him to remain on staff as an Agnes Stewart teacher after learning of the alleged conduct. Springfield officials also failed to properly train and supervise Schacht regarding sexual contact with students, the suit says.
Schacht is a former University of Oregon distance runner whose arrest last October shocked many in the local track and field community. He had also served several years as an assistant head coach for the Emerald Valley Track Club.
As part of his sentence, Schacht is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Following his release from prison, he will be barred from any contact with juveniles without written authorization from his parole and probation officer. Schacht also was ordered to pay the victim $5,000 toward her counseling and education expenses.
http://www.registerguard.com/web/ne.../schacht-suit-girl-districts-lawsuit.html.csp
Sometimes the scariest offenders are the ones that come nicely packaged. How do we tell teenaged daughters that they should avoid the nice friendly teacher or coach because he might be planning something. If I were raising kids over again in this day I might end up with very paranoid kids.
CSSM--Thanks for the update but I'm not sure that I agree that the victim is "trying to get rich" off this man's crime or arrest. First off, I seriously doubt that she had a thing to do with the final monetary amount of the suit. Secondly, I applaud the fact that victims do have the right to a civil suit. I'm not sure that most people know the devastating and lifelong effects of childhood sexual abuse. It robs many of the ability to work and to have a productive life.
I have to admit that there's a teensy part of me that feels resentful. Our tender little 9 year old was raped in his grade school restroom, during school hours, by a volunteer. The volunteer happened to be the teen-aged son of a staff member. We were advised by the DA to seek legal counsel and you know what? We were told that even though there was a clear conviction of the crime (in fact two convictions for that child), it could not be proven that the school could have known this teen would be a danger. Thus, we signed an agreement to never sue and went on with our lives. Our children finished out their school years in this district and now our numerous grandchildren attend.
Our lives with eight sexually abused children who have struggled for 13 years were not easy ones. How I wish there was a fund for therapy for them. There's not. How I wish there was some way for them to access anti-depressant medication. There's not. How I wish that each and every hospitalization for a suicide attempt could be somehow covered in a settlement. There's not. Thirteen years after the crime, we're paying the bills and will be for the rest of our life.
If I had it to do over again, I would have tried harder to see if there were other avenues to seek funding for therapy (which ended abruptly at age 18 via their medical cards due to their adoption status). I'm sorry, but I have to leave this one up to the judge and the jury. Mr. Schacht is an adult and he knew the rules.
I have to admit that there's a teensy part of me that feels resentful. Our tender little 9 year old was raped in his grade school restroom, during school hours, by a volunteer. The volunteer happened to be the teen-aged son of a staff member. We were advised by the DA to seek legal counsel and you know what? We were told that even though there was a clear conviction of the crime (in fact two convictions for that child), it could not be proven that the school could have known this teen would be a danger. Thus, we signed an agreement to never sue and went on with our lives. Our children finished out their school years in this district and now our numerous grandchildren attend.
Our lives with eight sexually abused children who have struggled for 13 years were not easy ones. How I wish there was a fund for therapy for them. There's not. How I wish there was some way for them to access anti-depressant medication. There's not. How I wish that each and every hospitalization for a suicide attempt could be somehow covered in a settlement. There's not. Thirteen years after the crime, we're paying the bills and will be for the rest of our life.
If I had it to do over again, I would have tried harder to see if there were other avenues to seek funding for therapy (which ended abruptly at age 18 via their medical cards due to their adoption status). I'm sorry, but I have to leave this one up to the judge and the jury. Mr. Schacht is an adult and he knew the rules.
CSSM--I know that you see the sexual contact as a "relationship" but because of Oregon law, that's not legally possible. It's rape--plain and simple. The teen had no ability to consent. It wouldn't have mattered if she jumped in the man's car stark naked and begged for contact. If he touched her, he committed a crime. The age of consent in Oregon is 18, no exceptions. And then there's the issue of authority.
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