High School Coach Chad Wilhoff Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
On March 25, former high school athletics coach Chad Wilhoff was found guilty of sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Wilhoff, who coached at two Ohio schools, was also a deacon at Landmark Church. Wilhoff has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and is currently facing allegations from at least two other victims.
While Chad Wilhoff is facing significant jail time as a result of a conviction, his criminal actions have dramatically affected the lives of the children he abused. If you or a loved one survived sexual abuse from Chad Wilhoff or any other coach, teacher, or staff member at Bethel Tate High School or Miami Valley Christian Academy, the attorneys at Estey & Bomberger can help. You and your family may be able to file a civil lawsuit to hold both Chad Wilhoff and the institutions that allow the abuse to happen in the first place. Call today for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Chad Wilhoff Allegations and Timeline
Wilhoff has been convicted and sentenced for having a sexual relationship with a student that began when she was 12 years old. This abuse began in 2003 while Wilhoff was a coach of girls’ basketball, soccer, and track at Bethel Tate High School in Bethel, Ohio, and continued through 2008.
In 2008, Wilhoff resigned from coaching at Bethel Tate. He was never employed as a teacher at the school.
Wilhoff is facing allegations from two other potential victims. One, who was 14-years-old at the time the abuse began, was coached by Wilhoff at Bethel Tate High School. In the other case, involving a 9 -year-old boy, details of who the victim was accessed have not been released yet. However, it was likely through the school or the church.
From 2012 to 2015, Wilhoff worked as both a teacher and athletic director at Miami Valley Christian Academy in Mariemont, Ohio.
Legal Ramifications
Expert testimony from the FBI indicated that Mr. Wilhoff used his position as a coach and deacon to gain access to his victims. Evidence from the trial indicated that there were repeated failures to report or act on the abuse at the top levels of both the schools and church involved. While at least three survivors have come forward, the unfortunate reality is that sexual predators often abuse many, many victims before they are stopped – especially when the institutions responsible for protecting children fail to do so.
If you are a survivor of abuse or have any information regarding cases involving Chad Wilhoff, the Clermont County Sheriffs’ Department can be reached at (513) 518-8144.
At the same time, if the church and school did in fact fail to report or act on the abuses, we believe they should be held accountable. At Estey & Bomberger, our attorneys have a demonstrated history of fighting for justice on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse. Survivors of child sexual abuse often face long-term, sometimes lifelong, impact on their lives. The abuse can impact their interactions with family and friends or disrupt or rob them of their ability to work or complete education. A lawsuit can recover compensation from the institution that allowed the abuse to happen and help survivors move forward.
If you and your family are ready, please contact us for a free and completely confidential case evaluation.