The families of eight boys in Texas have sued Little League Baseball Inc., alleging the organization enabled a coach to groom his players before sexually assaulting them over the course of years.
Adam Isaacks, a coach and league president, and his wife, Miranda Isaacks, an assistant coach, were both also named as defendants in the case.
The alleged victims and their families were not identified in the lawsuit, according to NBC News.
Adam Isaacks was arrested back in December and charged with sexual assault and indecency with minors. He’s is being held in Jasper County Jail on bonds totaling $6.5 million.
“Plaintiffs are victims and survivors of childhood sexual assault, molestation and abuse at the hands of their Little League Baseball Coach and League President, Adam Isaacks,” the lawsuit says. “The abuse started when some minor Plaintiffs were just 7 and 8 years old and continued for a period of years until the age of 11 and 12."
The lawsuit alleges that the Isaacks were able to abuse their positions in part due to Little League Baseball’s lack of oversight and training.
"All such grooming occurred under the authority of Little League Baseball," the lawsuit says. "Defendants failed to enforce safety precautions to guard against the foreseeable risk of sexual assault in the context of Little League Baseball. Defendants failed to comply with their duties and obligations to implement safety awareness, education and training to protect minor Plaintiffs."
In a statement, Little League Baseball said it was aware of the situation but could not comment further due to pending litigation.
"This grooming campaign included but was not limited to inviting the minor Plaintiffs to go on overnight trips and sleepovers with the coach, assistant coach Miranda ... other team members, such as camping, riding recreational vehicles, and/or hunting trips with him,” the lawsuit says.
The Isaacks are also accused of giving alcohol to the victims and drugging them.
