It is always disappointing when people in positions of authority let down kids

In this case we're not talking about someone didn't show up to drive the kids to the waterpark or refused to take the wee ones to see the newest Batman. No Jersey City, today we're talking about a little bit of Penn State doings at Lincoln High School.

A young girl aged 15 alerted head football coach Robert Hampton that one of his players, Steven Jones aged 18, had allegedly fondled her in two different places at the school July 30. Now this is exactly where the adults begin to fail the kids like at Penn State. One person spoke up but nobody else would carry the message forward. After the girl alerted Hampton, he did nothing. A young girl claims one of his prized football players fondled her and he does nothing nor saying anything to the authorities or anyone else in charge at the school.

Heinous.

These kids NEED adult supervision and protection. This young lady got neither in this case. Luckily we have police who WILL kick it up the chain of command. After the mother of the young girl understood the coach did nothing with the information, she called police.

Hampton has been charged with hindering apprehension, said Debra Simon, an assistant prosecutor with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. She also said her office is looking at leveling more charges at Hampton, those of official misconduct. As for Jones, he's been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact, one count each of child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of burglary, for entering the rooms where police say he fondled the victim.

While school district spokeswoman Paula Christen and LHS Athletic Director Keith Price had no comment citing personnel statutes. When reached by phone by the Jersey Journal, Hampton said he had been suspended from his coaching position.

People, we need to make examples of people like Mr. Hampton if all this is true. Just like at Penn State the coverup is almost as distasteful as the sex act itself. How valuable are these football players? More valuable than the well being of a 15 year old girl? Do we really want people in charge of our schools and sports teams that think the answer is yes? This isn't JUST about what allegedly happened at Lincoln High School, it could happen at any school or even possibly community sports leagues. We need adults to run these programs who really put the kids well being first and winning second.

Then everyone wins.