Soccer coach kisses 15-year-old twice during practice, NY official says. Arrest made
A youth soccer coach kissed a 15-year-old player twice during practice, then told her he wanted to kiss her again a week later, according to a New York district attorney’s office.
Jose Grajales-Giraldo, the coach of a youth soccer clinic in White Plains, was arrested on multiple charges on Feb. 7, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office announced Feb. 12.
Grajales-Giraldo, 44, of Mamaroneck, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of sexual abuse, the office said in a news release.
Information regarding his legal representation wasn’t immediately available the afternoon of Feb. 13.
Grajales-Giraldo first kissed the 15-year-old girl on the cheek, according to law enforcement, when he went over to her at the start of practice during the soccer clinic Jan. 25.
The clinic was held at Rochambeau Alternative High School in White Plains, a New York City suburb.
He kissed her a second time before practice ended, officials said.
A week later, on Feb. 1, Grajales-Giraldo approached the teen and asked if she’s “good at keeping secrets,” according to the district attorney’s office.
He’s accused of telling her “he really likes her and wants to kiss her.”
Following his arrest, Grajales-Giraldo pleaded not guilty to the charges against him at an arraignment, the district attorney’s office said.
The youth soccer clinic he coached wasn’t school-sponsored, News 12 The Bronx reported.
The director of Rochambeau Alternative High School didn’t immediately return McClatchy News’ request for comment Feb. 13.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office is seeking more information on Grajales-Giraldo. The office can be contacted at 914-995-8477.
White Plains is about a 35-mile drive northeast from New York City.
This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 12:53 PM with the headline "Soccer coach kisses 15-year-old twice during practice, NY official says. Arrest made."
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