Police in the Cincinnati suburb of Norwood say a 6-year-old boy was punished for not paying attention during football practice last week by being forced to run more than 1.5 miles and then dragged by his helmet's face mask. The boy's mother, 36-year-old Chellie Bowden, and 41-year-old Charles Robinson (who identified himself as the coach of the boy's team) were arrested on child endangering charges. A neighbor alerted police, who saw Robinson dragging the boy and ordered him to stop. A Hamilton County municipal judge set Robinson's bond at $5,000 and ordered him to stop coaching and stay away from the players. Bowden is accused of asking Robinson's help to punish her child and then standing by, police said.
David Ragle, president of the parent-run Norwood Little Indians Football organization, told background checks.
"This man is not a coach," Ragle said. "He is not a volunteer. He has nothing to do with our organization. He doesn't look familiar to me but that doesn't say he hasn't been there. The field is open. Parents and people are there all the time. I can't do background checks on every parent and associate who is listed on an emergency roster for the kids."
