UPDATE: Former St. Michael softball coach accused of having sex with teen student at off-campus practice facility
UPDATE (11:20 a.m.): News 5 is learning more about the accusation that led to a former Catholic school softball coach's arrest.
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On April 11, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office began investigating the allegation of an adult's alleged sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student at St. Michael Catholic High School, according to a BCSO news release.
The alleged relationship occurred during the 2020-2021 school year while Leonard Anthony Rizzuto was St. Michael's head softball coach, according to the BCSO.
"Some of the alleged acts took place at an off-campus practice facility as well as his private residence in Daphne Alabama," the release said.
St. Michael released Rizzuto as head softball coach after the 2021 season, News 5 has learned.
"The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and its partners in law enforcement are committed to continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals who engage in illegal activities to ensure the safety and well-being of all children," the release said.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A former Catholic school softball coach is being held on a $15,000 bond after his arrest on a sex charge, News 5 has learned.
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The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office identified that man as 60-year-old Leonard Anthony Rizzuto.
According to officials, Rizzuto was a softball coach at St. Michael Catholic School in Fairhope. He is no longer employed following an incident that allegedly happened in 2021 with a girl who was 16 or 17 at the time.
The girl, who is now an adult, reported the alleged incident in March of this year, and a grand jury returned the indictment, officials said.
News 5 is working to learn more about Rizutto's employment dates and whether the alleged incident occurred at the school.
Rizzuto was charged with school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sex offense, according to the Baldwin County Jail log.
He is now being held on a $15,000 bond and was ordered not to have contact with the victim or anyone under age 18.
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This is a developing story. News 5 will update this as more information becomes available.
