GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. -- News of the pending court date and 2007 charges against a Grain Valley gymnastics coach has raised concern with parents.
In June of 2007, William (Bill) Witthar was charged with sexual misconduct. Witthar owns the Best Gymnastics Training Center in Grain Valley, Mo.
The alleged incident happened during a gymnastics meet in St. Cloud, Minn., in April of 2007.
The alleged victim told police Witthar called her into his hotel room. In the past he would offer the 15-year-old feedback regarding the practice session, but she told police this time was different. According to the victim, Witthar kissed her, undressed her and sexually assaulted her.
Authorities were notified of the alleged incident in June of 2007, after a friend's mother informed the victim's parents.
More than two years after the charges were filed, Witthar still operates his Best Gymnastics training center in Grain Valley.
His former co-coach Amy Baxter is concerned about his students. She stopped working for Best Gymnastics several years before the allegations surfaced.
"He has a really good way with words, and it's really sad that a lot of people don't trust their gut," said Baxter.
According to the Stearns County Attorney's Office, Witthar is restricted regarding his contact with children. According to the court order, Witthar cannot be alone with his young athletes. He must be supervised when working with children.
A stipulation the Stearns County prosecutor's office admits they have no way of enforcing because Witthar doesn't live in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Missouri Attorney General's office and the Jackson County Prosecutor's office tell us they have no jurisdiction over this case, because the alleged crime happened in Minnesota.
"Is this going to happen with one of these little girls that are in his care right now?" questioned Amy Baxter.
A question that MOCSA outreach specialist Meg Rosen can't answer.
MOCSA, stands the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. Rosen says teens need to be better informed when it comes to sexual predators. Usually they're not strangers lurking in the darkness.
