Bail Increased To $1 Million For Softball Coach Charged With Sex Assault Of 16-Year-Old
By Diana Rocco
DOYLESTOWN, Pa., (CBS) -- A high school softball coach from Bucks County has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a 16-year-old.
Pennridge High School softball coach Eric Romig, 36, is charged with having an inappropriate relationship with one of his players.
Romig's bail has been increased from $500,000 to $1 million.
"He's actually not a staff member here at the district. He's a coach, we've employed him for two years. Obviously we're very upset, concerned, shocked by the matter," Pennridge Superintendent Dr. Jaqueline Rattigan said.
Police say Romig coached the 16-year-old student at Pennridge and on the Sellersville Belles travel team for the last two years. Authorities say their sexual relationship began in June, shortly after she turned 16. Police say they exchanged sexually explicit messages and videos and he picked her up at her house in Perkasie and drove to a nearby park or his Quakertown home where they had sex. Monday, the teen's mother found the texts and called police.
"Their daughter did admit to a sexual relationship with Mr. Romig," Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler said.
Romig is a married father of three.
"I just feel bad for everybody involved, especially the alleged victim and the family. It ruins so many lives," neighbor Jeff Reed said.
Parents have been notified and Pennridge softball players have been offered counseling. Romig has coached other teams over the years and investigators now fear there may be other victims.
"It's a bad world, that's all I can say. You just have to pay attention real hard," parent Ted Harrison said.
Romig has been charged with institutional sexual assault and suspended from his coaching position pending the outcome of this investigation.
If convicted on those charges, Romig could face up to 38 years in prison.
