Whitehall coach charged
w/ sex assault

WHITEHALL, Mich. (WOOD) - A Whitehall girls basketball coach was arraigned Thursday afternoon on third-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.

In restraints and appearing somewhat lost, Jared Bays, a 32-year-old coach and teacher, was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

A 17-year-old girl claims she had a sexual relationship with Bays over an 8-month period when she was in 8th grade. Bays had been a history and government teacher at the high school and worked as an alternative ed teacher in another building until he was put on administrative leave this week.

"It appears he took advantage of her young age and placed her in positions where he'd have contact with her without other adults," said Muskegon County prosecutor Tony Tague. "At this point we feel there is clearly sufficient evidence to charge one case and we're attempting to gather evidence for further prosecution."

He added the "investigation still in its infancy and I expect it to go on several weeks if not months."

Tague said several witnesses have backed up the teen's story.

Investigators are checking to see if Bays had sexual contact with other students. Bays is being charged with third-degree because the alleged crime happened before Michigan's statute changed last year. The victim was not a student of the teacher but a member of the girls basketball team he coached.

The old statute said first-degree would apply only if the victim is a student of the teacher.

Third-degree CSC is a 15-year felony . If more victims come forward, Tague says there could be multiple counts that could extend his prison sentence if convicted.

The superintendent of the school district, Darlene Dongvillo, told 24 Hour News 8 they were contacted Tuesday night and immediately put Bays on administrative leave. There had been no complaints against him until now.

"We will work with law enforcement as well as we can but we have to also conduct an independent investigation," said Whitehall superintendent Darlen Dongvillo. "We have offered students counselors, we want to stay in close contact with parents, we'll work together, but it is very devastating."

Bays, a sixth-year teacher who attended Western Michigan University, posted $100,000 bond and was released from custody Thursday. He faces a preliminary hearing in two weeks.

His basketball team took to the court in a game Thursday night. The coach at the helm in place of Bays while he is on administrative leave is a familiar name in local high school sports. Tony Annese coaches the boys basketball team at Whitehall High School. He also coaches football at Muskegon High School.