Former Pasco Girls Wrestling Assistant Facing Molestation Charges
Felony charges have been filed against a former 4-time girls wrestling state champion who was terminated from the Pasco School District after officials learned of inappropriate conduct by the assistant coach.
21-year-old Sheridan Anne McDonald graduated from Kiona-Benton High School in 2011 after becoming the first ever four-time state champion in girls wrestling in Washington state history. The state added girls wrestling a few years ago. In Washington state, girls can compete against boys in the regular season, but at the state level, there are separate championships for each gender.
She was hired by the district as an assistant coach for the girls wrestling team in November of last year, but was terminated January 14th, 2014 after being placed on administrative leave December 26th 2013. The district began investigating McDonald January 1st, according to police reports, after evidence was brought to light she was having inappropriate conduct with a teen-age girl. The girl's father said the teen reported incidents of kissing and touching the girl over her clothes during a car ride to a school function to her school counselor.
Pasco police gathered a variety of evidence, including text messages from the girl's phone that were, according to court records, "consistent with McDonald engaging in an ongoing romantic relationship." McDonald was interviewed by an investigator from the school district, and and reportedly admitted the conduct.
McDonald was charged in court Wednesday with 3rd. Degree Child Molestation, which is a felony. She will reappear next Tuesday again in Franklin County Superior Court. Pasco school officials refused further comment.