“With Injustice, Two Parents Got Southeastern travel Baseball Current Head Coach Arrested for Molestation of Their Children”

“With Injustice, Two Parents Got Southeastern travel Baseball Current Head Coach Arrested for Molestation of Their Children”

April 23, 2025 – Atlanta, Georgia

In a case that has gripped the youth sports community across the Southeastern United States, the current head coach of a top-tier Southeastern travel baseball team was arrested this week following allegations of child molestation. The coach, 47-year-old Thomas “Tom” Rawley, was taken into custody by Georgia state authorities after two parents filed complaints accusing him of sexually abusing their children—both players on his team.

The arrest has triggered a deep divide among local families, organizations, and former players. While the parents claim justice is being served, many in the tight-knit baseball network are calling the arrest a rush to judgment and a reflection of a broader injustice.

SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS SPUR ARREST

According to a joint investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Atlanta Police Department, the two boys involved—ages 12 and 13—alleged multiple instances of inappropriate behavior by Coach Rawley during team travel events over the past six months.

The victims reportedly disclosed details to a school counselor, who then alerted child protection services. Interviews conducted by forensic psychologists at a local child advocacy center provided enough preliminary evidence to issue a warrant for Rawley’s arrest.

The parents of the two boys claim their children were manipulated and intimidated into silence until recent emotional changes prompted concern. “Our son stopped sleeping. He stopped eating,” one mother said tearfully at a press briefing. “It was only after therapy started that we realized the trauma he was hiding.”

Coach Rawley was arrested without incident at his home early Tuesday morning and is currently being held in Fulton County Jail without bond, facing multiple counts of aggravated child molestation and sexual battery against minors.

RAWLEY DENIES CHARGES

Through his attorney, Rawley has vehemently denied all charges, calling the allegations “fabricated and malicious.” His defense team argues that the accusations stem from long-standing personal conflicts with the families involved, including past disagreements over team discipline and player favoritism.

“This is not justice — this is personal vendetta cloaked in legal accusation,” said attorney Brendon Tate. “We are confident that evidence will show Coach Rawley has done nothing wrong and has always conducted himself professionally.”

Supporters of Rawley, including several former players and parents, have taken to social media to defend his reputation, calling him a “dedicated mentor” and “father figure” to hundreds of athletes over the years.

TEAM AND LEAGUE RESPONSE

The Southeastern Bulldogs Baseball Club, for which Rawley has coached for over a decade, issued a brief statement following the arrest:

“The Southeastern Bulldogs take these allegations extremely seriously. Coach Rawley has been placed on immediate administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Our primary concern remains the well-being and safety of our players.”

The team has also paused all games and training sessions while they review internal protocols and cooperate with authorities.

In addition, the Southeastern Youth Baseball League (SYBL) announced it will launch an independent review of all affiliated coaches and travel policies, including background check procedures and chaperone guidelines.

RIPPLE EFFECTS AND COMMUNITY FALLOUT

The arrest has ignited fierce debate across youth sports circles in Georgia and neighboring states. Parents are now questioning how much they truly know about the people entrusted with their children’s care and whether enough safeguards are in place.

“This should never happen,” said Lisa Coleman, whose 14-year-old son plays for another travel team. “Too much freedom, too little accountability. We need change—now.”

Several mental health organizations and child safety advocates have called for mandatory training for all youth sports staff, including instruction on appropriate conduct, reporting mechanisms, and signs of abuse.

At the same time, others in the community feel Rawley is being unfairly judged before all the facts are known.

“He’s coached my son for years, and I’ve never seen anything inappropriate,” said Darrell Wright, a parent from the Bulldogs’ 16U team. “I worry this will destroy his life even if he’s innocent.”

LEGAL PATH FORWARD

The case now moves into the pretrial phase, where prosecutors will present their initial evidence during a bond hearing scheduled for April 29. Investigators continue to gather witness statements, digital communications, and travel records from the past year.

The district attorney’s office has indicated they may expand charges if new evidence or victims emerge. A tip line has been set up for anyone with information related to Rawley’s conduct: 1-800-GBI-TIPS.

While the legal case unfolds, the two families at the center of the accusations say they are focused on healing.

“We didn’t want this attention. We didn’t want to go public,” one parent told reporters. “But we couldn’t stay silent. Not when other kids might be in danger.”

TRUST BROKEN, CHANGE DEMANDED

This latest incident adds to a growing number of troubling headlines involving misconduct in youth sports, raising pressing questions about oversight and parental involvement.

“What we’re seeing here is a symptom of a larger problem,” said Dr. Shawna Bell, a child protection expert at Emory University. “The structure of travel sports often isolates coaches and players from parental supervision. That can create opportunities for abuse if the wrong person is in charge.”

Many parents are now calling for live camera feeds in locker rooms and buses, open-door travel policies, and third-party chaperones to be required for all trips.

In response, the SYBL is expected to announce a new “SafePlay” initiative in the coming weeks, focusing on player protection, abuse prevention education, and new accountability standards.

UNCERTAINTY MOVING FORWARD

For the Southeastern Bulldogs, the 2025 season now hangs in limbo. But for the children and families involved, the stakes are far more personal.

“What matters now is the truth,” said one of the fathers. “Whatever that may be, it needs to come out — so our boys, and the kids on every team like this, can feel safe again.”

As investigations deepen and legal proceedings begin, one thing is certain: the world of youth baseball in the Southeast will not be the same.