WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - In the wake of a scandal involving a registered sex offender coaching children with Little League organization League 42, new policies have been put in place to ensure child safety.
According to sources, Timothy Flores Jr., a registered sex offender, was allowed to coach with League 42 for over a decade without incident. However, after a recent post-game altercation between two coaches resulted in the dismissal of both individuals, an investigation revealed that one of these coaches, Flores, had been participating in the program despite being a registered sex offender.
League 42 owner Bob Lutz has acknowledged making a "regrettable decision" to allow Flores to coach and has apologized for any harm caused. The organization's board has implemented new policies, including:
- A zero-tolerance policy prohibiting any registered offenders from coaching
- Conducting background checks on all coaches through a professional third-party firm
- Reviewing and strengthening policies, training, and approval procedures
Parents have expressed concerns about the incident, with one parent stating that their child is a victim of previous abuse and feels betrayed by League 42's handling of the situation. The organization has vowed to earn back the community's trust.
League 42 has also provided contact information for those affected or vulnerable to sexual assault, including the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center at (316) 263-0185.
Background: The incident highlights concerns about child safety and accountability in youth sports organizations. League 42 is a Little League organization serving children in Wichita, Kansas. The new policies are aimed at preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.