Gymnastics Coach Charged Molestation

A South Florida gymnastics coach in jail, charged with molesting a 10-year-old girl.
 
Broward County deputies say he fondled a student during a class last month.

Raymond Adams, a trusted 38-year-old gymnastics coach, has been charged with molesting one of his 10-year-old gymnasts during a training session at Bieger Gymnastics in Deerfield Beach.

Investigators say Adams was arrested in 1998 on a sexual misconduct charge in Illinois, and linked to several other cases where allegations of similar conduct have been made. "I don't believe this was an isolated incident," said Broward Sheriff's Detective Julie Bower.

That statement alone has parents and others in the gymnastics community wondering how something like this could happen.

"Obviously they didn't do a thorough enough checks," said Shari Fiore, a parent who lives next to Adams.

"With USA Gymnastics all members have to be certified and have multi-state background checks done to receive a green light," said Randy Sikora. Sikora owns Twisters Gymnastics in Boca Raton where Adams worked as a substitute instructor.

"My 9-year-old daughter, Mya, was also there with him as an instructor so obviously I had the level of trust."

Sikora says Adams resigned from the coaching job at his gym in August. He believes it was because of his gym's high level of supervision.

Parents now say they might have to play a more active role.

"I wouldn't think it's up to me to double check. It's not the way I was raised, but maybe parents have to step in," said Fiore.

Parent Dennis Newman, who also lives near Adams, agrees with Fiore. "Yeah, you've got to always keep your eyes out and always talk to your kids constantly about the dangers out there."

Adams was denied bond and is currently being held at the Broward County Jail.