Girl's Letter Led to Misconduct Investigation

A three-page letter from a student claiming that Manatee High Coach Rod Frazier groped her and sent her hundreds of text messages was the catalyst for a school district and police investigation into the allegations, according to the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Reporter Chris Anderson writes in the Herald Tribune:

The girl who wrote the letter said Frazier befriended her at the start of her sophomore year, and the height of the alleged inappropriate behavior was in the fall of her junior year.

The Sarasota Herald Tribune is reporting that an unnamed student who is now a senior made the decision, with her parents' support, to write down the allegations against the 35-year-old assistant football coach.

Her mother hand-delivered the letter to the office of Manatee High Principal Don Sauer in January 2013. The letter prompted an investigation by the school district.

It also led to a separate review by the Bradenton Police Department.

Frazier is a Manatee High School graduate who played football for the University of Florida. In 2001, he returned to Manatee High as assistant football coach, after his graduation from University of Florida.

According to the Sarasota Herald Tribune, police are recommending that the state bring charges against Frazier.

The Sarasota Herald Tribune also reported that police also are recommending that some school administrators face charges in connection to the case.

Charges may include failure to report complaints of improper behavior by the assistant coach and providing false information to police.

Failure to report abuse in Florida is now a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

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