COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater man has been charged with two counts of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct by Branch County Prosecuting Attorney Zach Stempien as the result of alleged sexual contact with a minor female on or about September 1, 2017.
30-year-old Daniel McFeters was scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday in Branch County District Court. McFeters was a volunteer at the Coach Eby Youth and Family Center at the time of the alleged offense which according to authorities, took place while he was walking the youngster home from an event at the Coach Eby Center.
According to a news release from Stempien’s office, the alleged victim was between 13 and 16 years of age at the time.
McFeters association with the Coach Eby Center has led to an outcry on social media platforms. The latest criticism of the Coach Eby Center comes almost a month after Branch Pride Executive Director Chris Boger blasted them for “their hateful and non-affirming treatment of the LGBTQ community.”
Stempien went on to say that during the investigation, the defendant alleged that a meeting took place regarding the allegations and that numerous people, some of whom are alleged to be mandatory reporters, were at this meeting. According to Stempien, “Defendant further alleged that he did not recall the meeting discussing sexual assault allegations, but just the issue of walking the minor child home after the game. The information known at this time indicates that a report of sexual abuse was not made at or near the time of the alleged incident.”
Stempien added Coldwater Police conducted a further investigation into potential mandatory reporter violations.
“After interviewing all of the individuals alleged to be present at the meeting, it was found that one of the individuals was not in the country around the date of the alleged meeting, nor was that person employed at the Eby Center until after the alleged meeting. Three of the four remaining individuals alleged to have been at the meeting denied being in the meeting or being aware of the sexual abuse allegations.”
The Prosecutor’s statement indicated the remaining individual who claimed to have been at the meeting is believed to be a female acquaintance of the defendant.
It concluded by saying, “Further, during the course of the investigation, the victim alleged that she reported the incident to a board member. The board member was interviewed and denied receiving the report and, based upon the information known at this time, likely would not legally qualify as a mandatory reporter in her capacity at the Eby Center. Based upon the information known at this time, there is insufficient evidence to charge any individual at the meeting with a mandatory reporter violation. This office takes mandatory reporting responsibilities by individuals defined as mandatory reporters very seriously, as the purpose of the statute is to protect our most vulnerable population, our youth. If additional evidence is found that proves that a mandatory reporter, as defined by law, was aware of the allegations and failed to report the allegations, this Office will pursue any legal remedy available and justified by law.”
If you have further information on the case, you’re asked to contact the Coldwater Police Department or the Branch County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
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