By Regina Medina
Philadelphia Inquirer
September 20, 2011
http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-20/news/30180505_1_hotel-room-boy-home-xanax-pill
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| Louis Spadaccini |
A baseball coach described by administrators at his South Philadelphia Catholic high school as "revered" has been arrested after police said he took a 14-year-old boy to a hotel room, and gave him beer and a drink spiked with a prescription drug.
Louis Spadaccini, a coach at SS. Neumann-Goretti High School in South Philadelphia since 2006, was charged with corrupting the morals of a minor, endangering the welfare of a minor, luring a child into a motor vehicle, and other offenses.
Spadaccini, 37, of South Philadelphia, could not be reached for comment.
Philadelphia Police Capt. John Darby said Tuesday that the boy spent several hours in the hotel room before his parents grew suspicious and demanded that he return. When Spadaccini brought the boy home, Darby said, he was so intoxicated that his parents took him to the hospital.
There is no evidence that the boy was sexually assaulted, Darby said. The investigation is continuing, and police are looking into reports that Spadaccini may have taken another boy to a hotel on a previous occasion.
Darby urged anyone who had improper contact with Spadaccini to contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251 or -3252.
"We obviously have concern about this activity and the exposure of this individual to a number of youths in that neighborhood and beyond," Darby said.
The boy, who was not identified, is a new student at the school who attended a baseball practice Sunday, Darby said. The boy's parents were aware that their son made plans to meet with Spadaccini later that day, but they were under the impression that the meeting would involve more practicing.
Shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday, Spadaccini picked up the student and took him to the Holiday Inn on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia, ostensibly to watch football. There, Spadaccini gave him beer and a mixed drink that he made in a blender.
Spadaccini also slipped a Xanax pill into the drink, which he knew might render the boy unconscious, according to police records. Spadaccini told police that he did not assault the boy after serving him the drink.
Spadaccini taught varsity and junior varsity students at Neumann-Goretti, a part-time job. He was also employed by the Court of Common Pleas. He has no known criminal past, police said.
John Murawski, president of Neumann-Goretti, said students and faculty were in a state of "deep shock" over the news. Spadaccini was admired by many for his knowledge of sports and his abilities, Murawski said.
Spadaccini has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The school is making counseling available to any students who need it.
Contact staff writer Allison Steele at 215-854-2641 or asteele@phillynews.com
Inquirer staff writer Mike Newall contributed to this article.
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