Yesterday, an assistant football coach at Seminole Ridge High School found himself under arrest following allegations of misconduct with a student. The Palm Beach County School District Police took Ruben Paulo Tirado into custody, and he was booked on charges of lewd and lascivious battery and an authority figure soliciting lewd conduct with a student, both involving a victim aged 12 to 16, reported CBS12.
After the arrest, Tirado's employment was terminated immediately, with the principal sending out an email notifying families and staff of the Severino incident, with the suspect, who previously coached the school's quarterbacks, now being held at the Palm Beach County jail without bond. For those with more information about the investigation, they are encouraged to reach out to the School District Police Department at (561) 434-8700, attention to Lt. Wagner, as relayed by WFLX.
"Any conduct that threatens the safety and well-being of our students is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Principal Bob Hatcher told CBS12 in a statement. Amid the controversy, students and parents reacted with shock, sharing their disbelief and concerns with reporters. While not being familiar with Tirado, others in the community expressed relief that the accusation had been addressed promptly.
One student commented to CBS12, "I don't know who he is but I'm glad that they caught him," capturing a shared sentiment of gratitude for the swift response to the sensitive situation. Additionally, the accused coach was also released from his duties at the Acreage Athletic League, where he had taken on the role of a youth sports coach.
The school district and local authorities continue to emphasize the importance of student safety and have pledged full cooperation with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation. They have issued a call for anyone in the community with information that may aid the case to come forward.
