The athletic director and two track coaches at Bronx High School of Science have been suspended from their positions while officials investigate allegations of hazing among students on the track team.
The Department of Education said the athletic director and coaches will retain their teaching jobs as the investigation continues. One is a substitute teacher, one a full-time teacher and one a retired teacher, officials said.
The track team has already been prevented from attending any more meets in the season until the DOE probe is finished.
The suspensions come after three track athletes were arrested and accused of hazing a younger teammate.
On one occasion, according to the criminal complaint, one of the suspects told the victim "touch my penis for three seconds or I will rape you," and when he refused, the suspect bent him over and pressed his penis into his buttocks, over his clothing.
The suspects, two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old, were charged with hazing, harassment, forcible touching and assault, police said.
The parents of the 17-year-old suspect told NBC 4 New York he denies the allegations, and they questioned the way the investigation was carried out.
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"So far, the only thing we have is the words of one kid, that's all. No proof whatsoever," said the teen's mother, adding that her son had not made a written statement.
