Riverside Baseball Coach Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

Apr 20, 2022

A man affiliated with multiple little league baseball teams in Riverside, California, was arrested and booked on numerous sex crime charges, according to officials.

Riverside Baseball, Coach Kenneth Donald Callahan, Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

The Riverside Police Department confirmed that Kenneth Donald Callahan, 67, was arrested April 12 on the following charges:

• Numerous counts of lewd and lascivious acts against a child under the age of 14
• Several sexual abuse-related counts

Callahan was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center and is currently being held without bail.

The two victims allege that the sexual abuse occurred in the mid-2000s while they were both minors, according to a local FOX 11 report. The individuals also allege that the abuse lasted for several years.

An investigation into Callahan reportedly began in February, but officials have not released any additional information regarding the allegations or the names of the survivors.

Callahan was affiliated with little league baseball in Riverside for “many years,” and also worked as a coach and website designer, according to police.

“It is unknown at this time if he victimized any children within the little league program,” police said.

Riverside Police Department officials are urging anyone with additional information related to a potential victim of Callahan or a sex crime committed by the area little league coach to come forward and contact Detective Christi Arnold at 951-353-7945 or CArnold@RiversideCA.gov.

Recent Los Angeles-Area Coach Sexual Abuse Cases

In recent months, multiple cases of alleged coach sexual abuse have been reported in the Los Angeles area.

In March, a Redlands, California, youth soccer coach was arrested after police witnessed him having sex with a 14-year-old girl in the backseat of his car.

According to various media reports, during a vehicle check near Fairway Drive and Country Club Drive in the early morning hours, Redlands police officers approached Jonathan Jeremy Ledesma, 40. The youth soccer coach claimed the victim was his girlfriend.

Additionally, just last week a Costa Mesa soccer coach was arrested on charges of child molestation and child pornography.

Joshua Clever, 39, of Santa Ana was taken into custody by the Costa Mesa Police Department.

In both cases, authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying possible additional victims harmed by the coaches.

Three former athletes as well as a former employee of U.S. Ski and Snowboard made allegations against Foley.

• The Larry Nassar scandal: In December, survivors of Larry Nassar obtained a $380 million settlement with U.S.A. Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and their respective insurers.
• The Jerry Sandusky scandal: In 2015, Penn State University settled with 26 survivors of Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse (following his sentence of 30 to 60 years for having abused 10 boys he met over five years through his charity for troubled children).
• The Dr. Robert Anderson scandal: In January, survivors of Dr. Robert Anderson reached a $490 million settlement following decades of sexual abuse at the University of Michigan.

Proposed Child Athlete Bill of Rights

In July, two non-profit organizations working to end child sexual abuse and support survivors – Child USA and The Army of Survivors – officially announced the launch of the Child Athlete Bill of Rights advocacy campaign. The organizations made an official appeal to all those involved in youth athletics, requesting that they commit to preventing future abuse by adopting four guiding principles within the Child Athlete Bill of Rights.

The four main principles of the Child Athlete Bill of Rights include (under the acronym SAFE):

• S is for SAY: Children have the right to say no at any time
• A is for ACT: Children have the right to disclose to an adult when they feel uncomfortable
• F is for FEEL: Children need to have the space and support to express their feelings
• E is for EDUCATION: Children and their caregivers need to be educated about what abuse is and how they can report it

What is Sexual Grooming and How Does it Impact Children?

The American Bar Association (ABA) defines sexual grooming as “a preparatory process in which a perpetrator gradually gains a person’s or organization’s trust with the intent to be sexually abusive.” Sexual grooming typically impacts victims who are children, teens, or vulnerable adults.

Grooming frequently involves any of the following with a child or young person:

• Building a relationship
• Building trust
• Building an emotional connection with the intent to manipulate, exploit, or abuse

Groomers frequently take these steps in an effort to gain access to (and time alone with) children.

Facts on child grooming outlined by the ABA include:

• In extreme cases, predators may use threats and physical force to sexually assault or abuse a child. In most instances, however, subtle approaches designed to build relationships with families are utilized by the groomer.
• The predator may assume a caring role – befriending the child or even exploiting their position of trust and authority to groom him/her (and/or the child’s family).
• Sexual groomers may attempt to build a relationship with the young person’s family or friends – going to great lengths make themselves seem trustworthy or authoritative.
• Parents are cautioned to always remain vigilant, understanding that anyone (at any time) can be a sexual predator.

As the ABA also notes, sexual predators use grooming to intentionally build relationships with the adults around a child or seek out a child who is less supervised by parents or guardians. This increases the likelihood that the offender’s time with the child is welcomed and encouraged by the adults.

Children and young people who are victims of grooming are often sexually abused, exploited, or trafficked. Anyone can commit sexual grooming – regardless of their age, gender, race, occupation, or social status.

Moreover, grooming can occur over any period of time. Some predators take weeks to groom a victim, while others will wait years. This is an especially important point for parents, as they may be inclined to leave their guards down once becoming familiar with a teacher, coach, or clergy member.

The ABA reports that the key to understanding sexual grooming by coaches, teachers, and clergy is recognizing common behaviors that predators utilize while applying these tactics on victims for abuse.

“Common sexual grooming behaviors are often subtle and may not appear inappropriate to the untrained eye,” according to the ABA.

Specific behaviors involved in sexual predator grooming may include:

• When an adult is overly interested in a child
• When an adult gives a child special privileges (e.g. rides to and from practices, etc.)
• When an adult frequently initiates or creates opportunities to be alone with a child (or multiple children)
• When an adult becomes fixated on a child
• When an adult befriends a family (but shows more interest in building a relationship with the child than with the adults)
• When an adult displays favoritism towards one child within a family
• When an adult seeks opportunities to buy a child gifts
• When an adult caters to the interests of a child (so a child or the parent may initiate contact with the offender)

In a blog post from 2021, Dordulian Law Group’s founder and former sex crimes prosecutor, Sam Dordulian, offered specific tips for parents on how to protect children from sexual predators:

“It’s critically important to remember that sexual predators are notorious for seeking out positions (whether as a professional or volunteer) that allow them access to children. Granted, 95% of coaches, teachers, clergy, volunteers at religious institutions, etc. are likely upstanding citizens. But parents need to be aware that there’s no standard model for a sexual predator. A predator can be any of age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.,” Dordulian, a former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County who has obtained life sentences against some of our community’s most heinous sex offenders, said.

If you experienced a sexual assault incident, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

“One major problem I consistently encounter with parents is their tendency to automatically view these individuals as sort of noble citizens. They don’t appreciate the potential predator instinct any random coach, teacher, clergy member, or even close friend or relative could have. I often tell parents about a case I was involved in as a Deputy District Attorney, where a teacher openly admitted that he chose the profession in order to have unlimited access to children. So, it’s important for parents to be aware that any professional who has direct private access to their children could potentially be a predator. Without encouraging paranoia, you do, in a sense, almost have to be on constant alert, because it can impact any child of any age/gender at any time. It’s not by accident that these people became teachers or coaches or clergy, it’s by design,” Dordulian added.

Additionally, DLG’s SAJE Team Chief Investigator, Moses Castillo, a retired Los Angeles Police Department sex crimes detective in the elite Abused Child Unit, offered some important tips for parents:

“It’s very important for parents to realize that the majority of sexual predators aren’t strangers, but someone close to the child and the child’s family. Whether it’s a coach, teacher, clergy member, family friend, or even a close relative, most childhood sexual abuse is committed by a familiar face,” said Detective Castillo.

“If an adult makes regular efforts to spend more time (typically alone) with your child than you do as their parent, that’s a red flag,” Castillo added. “Premeditated attempts to get a child alone – whether to go out for ice cream, take a trip to an amusement park, the movies, etc. – are situations that can be conducive to sexual abuse.”

When grooming occurs, children often become worried or confused, and therefore less likely to speak to a trusted adult. For parents who are concerned or would like additional information on sexual grooming, DLG’s SAJE Team is available to answer any questions you may have 24/7 via 818-322-4056.

California AB 218 Equals Justice for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors

The California statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse crimes is temporarily paused under Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218). AB 218, which took effect on January 1, 2020, tolls (pauses) the statute of limitations on all childhood sexual abuse through the end of 2022.

While AB 218 is in effect, any survivor of childhood sexual abuse or assault may file a civil claim seeking financial compensation until December 31, 2022. However, as of January 1, 2023, the standard statute of limitations will resume, and survivors who did not file claims will likely be left without any future legal recourse or ability to pursue financial compensation for various damages.

For additional information on California AB 218 and how it offers survivors of childhood sexual abuse an unprecedented opportunity at justice, please visit our recent blog post.

What Damages Can be Recovered in a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Some common damages that may be recovered through a childhood sexual abuse civil lawsuit include:

• Emotional trauma
• Psychological harm
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Diminished quality of life
• Counseling or therapy expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

California AB 218 features a treble damages clause which allows the courts latitude to triple financial damages awards in cases where cover-ups are proven.

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For example, if you are a sexual abuse survivor who was victimized through a systemic cover-up (at either an individual or institutional level), and that wrongdoing was proved in court, a $5 million damages award could theoretically be increased to $15 million under the AB 218 treble damages clause.

AB 218’s treble damages clause was included in the bill in an effort to severely punish bad actors who participated in systemic cover-ups. Such cover-ups often took place over the course of several decades in organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and Catholic Church, and have consequently impacted countless innocent survivors. Despite the rampant abuse at a systemic level, AB 218 offers all survivors an opportunity at justice.

DLG is a leading California-based firm with decades of experience successfully handling childhood sexual abuse claims. We represent survivors throughout California as well as across the United States. DLG offers child sex abuse survivors a unique type of legal representation which includes a four-tiered team of professionals known as the SAJE Team.

Led by Sam Dordulian, DLG’s experienced coach sexual abuse lawyers have helped countless survivors secure maximum financial damages awards.

Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

Some of our recent sex crime civil lawsuit victories include:

For a free and confidential consultation regarding your coach sexual assault or abuse civil claim, contact a member of DLG’s SAJE Team today at 818-322-4056. DLG’s childhood sex crime attorneys have helped victims recover more than $100,000,000 in settlements and verdicts while maintaining a 98% success record.