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According to Charlotte Observer, Thomas Patrick Strahan, the former head softball coach at Lake Norman High School, located at 186 Doolie Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117, was fired in May for talking up a sex act on a student’s voicemail. He was arrested and charged Wednesday with sex crimes against six more student-athletes, authorities said Friday.
In May, the 59-year-old coach was charged with a count of felony indecent liberties with a student while a softball coach, according to Sheriff Darren Campbell. Strahan, who did not teach in the Iredell-Statesville Schools, is accused of committing additional acts with juvenile athletes, but authorities are not releasing what those acts were.
At the time of Strahan's firing in May, he was also suspended with pay as a physical education teacher at West Mecklenburg High School. The school resource officer at Lake Norman was informed of a voicemail Strahan sent to a student about a sexual act.
Authorities are still investigating the case and have interviewed other juvenile victims. Strahan has yet to comment on the situation.
Attorney contributor Kristen Beightol is a North Carolina school sex abuse lawyer. She helps victims and their families file civil lawsuits. Kristen shared her knowledge of when a victim could sue if sexually abused by a high school coach.
"Schools have a duty to provide a safe and secure educational environment for their students. In particular, schools have a duty to protect their students from sexual abuse by school staff. This duty includes taking appropriate measures to prevent such abuse from occurring in the first place and responding appropriately when it does happen. These measures may include conducting background checks on all staff, security surveillance on the campus, and having proper protocols for incidents reported."
"The victim and their parents may be able to seek criminal charges against the perpetrator and the school for failing to protect the student from harm. This could include charges of negligence or even criminal negligence, depending on the circumstances."
"In addition, when a school fails to take reasonable steps to protect its students from sexual abuse by a coach, it can be liable for any harm caused to the students. This includes any physical, emotional, or psychological injuries the student suffers and any financial losses resulting from such abuse. The student and their parents may seek compensation for these losses through civil lawsuits."
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