7 HS football players charged in hazing case; season canceled

PARLIN, N.J. (AP) — Seven students were charged with sex crimes Friday after an investigation into hazing on a high school football team found that they held other children against their will and improperly touched them, prosecutors said.Three of the students were charged with aggravated sexual assault, criminal restraint, hazing and other crimes for an act of sexual penetration upon one of the children, Middlesex County prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said. The four other students were charged with aggravated criminal sexual contact and other crimes for what happened at Sayreville War Memorial High School, a regional football power whose season was canceled amid the investigation.Six of the seven students, ranging in age from 15 to 17, were arrested Friday night, and the seventh was being sought, prosecutors said. Those in custody were awaiting a Family Court decision on whether they would be held at a juvenile detention facility or be released to their families. Their names weren't released because of their ages.The group attacked four students between Sept. 19 and Sept. 29, and one of the victims was kicked, prosecutors said.As what would have been game time on the planned homecoming night neared, the lights at Sayreville War Memorial High football stadium stayed off and the field remained empty Friday evening.On Monday night, schools Superintendent Richard Labbe announced he was canceling the rest of the season after the prosecutor's office substantiated allegations of hazing involving members of the school's football team.Parents in the township have complained that the whole team is being punished.Labbe has stood by his decision and said the time has come for students and others to step forward when bullying occurs. He said Friday the district has launched a harassment, intimidation and bullying investigation of all its athletic teams.