David Hartshorn, a little league coach who once earned the coveted title “Coach of the Year” now stands disgraced amid accusations of molesting three young players under his care while employed by the Rochdale Village Little League.
Hartshorn is alleged to have sexually assaulted the victims who ranged from 13 to 14 years of age at his home between July of 2009 and January 2011. A raid on his home by police uncovered a disgusting trove of child porn material and movies…some of which supposedly feature some of the young players that frequented Hartshorne’s home. Additional details too chilling for us to recap can be found in the
NY Daily News article.
Neighbors described young boys at Hartshorn’s home as pretty typical sight, one which wasn’t given much of a second thought.
“It was just like they lived there.” said neighbor Wanda Harris. “I’m totally blown away, I’m flabbergasted”
Ms. Harris and fellow neighbors are not the only ones shocked by the fact a predator of this caliber was living in their community. Hartshorn was briefly employed as the campaign manager for Alan Gerson, a former Manhattan Councilman who made a failed bid for reelection.
During the campaign, Hartshorn has enlisted the aid of several kids to hand out election literature and candidate information. It is unknown if any of the kids employed by Hartshorne at the time were victimized but working with someone like him is bad enough
Alan Gerson was shocked to learn of the former coaches history and found it hard to believe he had employed someone with a criminal record that includes child endangerment and sodomy.
“It just sickens me. It angers me. It’s not the David Hartshorn I knew. If this is all true, he led a complete double life.”
The final shocker is that Hartshorns history of sexual deviance was revealed by a swift and simple background check by authorities. Why a check was never run on him prior to placement in a position working with children is unknown as calls to the Rochadale Village Community center seeking comment were not returned. And apparently he slipped through the cracks as well working on Alan Gersons reelection campaign.
There are many reasons to screen your applicants and this particular episode where the Rochdale Village Little Leagues failure to properly execute a background check is one of the more tragic examples. The addition of a extra layer in your hiring process in the form of a solid background check can hardly be considered an inconvenience when it ensures the safety of not only your employees but the people you serve.
