Parents in Middle Tennessee have pointed to USA Gymnastics’ lack of action saying that may have led to their daughter’s abuse.
Jill Robinson took her daughter to a gym not long after she was out of diapers, but as she neared 11 years old, Robinson said her daughter wanted to quit the sport she loved.
Robinson said one night she suddenly learned why their daughter wanted to walk away from the sport.
“It came out of my mouth the same time it came into my head,” Robinson said. “I said just, 'Is he touching you inappropriately?' I was just as surprised it came out of my mouth as she was looking at me with these big eyes and saying yes and bursting into tears.”
The Robinson's said they had no idea of the abuse.
A Williamson County jury found the child’s coach, Mark Schiefelbein, guilty of several counts of aggravated sexual battery. He has been serving a 36-year prison sentence.
The Robinson’s family said they were shocked to discover USA Gymnastics had a file of complaints against Schiefelbein that only came to light during his trial.
“If you've got these complaints then you need to let someone know that can investigate and know about,” Ross Robinson said.
Monday, a Georgia judge ruled to unseal the files of 54 sex abuse complaints on coaches across the country and dozens of depositions. The files ranged from 1996 until 2006. One of those files, included information on the man who hurt the Robinson’s daughter.
“I think you err on the side of protecting the children,” Ross Robinson said. “[But] putting it in a file and shutting it is unacceptable,” added Jill Robinson.
Jill said her daughter, Becca Seaborn who is now 26, applauded the judge’s ruling.
“But she's very concerned about the coaches, that they can continue the abuse. They have not been convicted and will not be named,” Robinson said.
The judge's ruling was part of a major civil lawsuit against USA gymnastics. The young victim in the case alleged she was sexually abused by her coach in Georgia. The judge has planned to release the sealed documents in 30 days, pending an appeal by USA Gymnastics.
