Apple Valley Police Arrest 31-Year-Old Swim Coach John Casillas After Missing Teen Found At His Home

JohncasillasarrestAppleValleyPoliceDepartment
John Casillas, 31 - Photo Courtesy: Apple Valley Police Department

John Casillas, a 31-year-old California swimming coach, has been arrested and released on bail after a teenage girl who had been missing for weeks was found in his San Bernardino home, according to the Apple Valley Police Department.

johncasillasCasillas, who works in swimming with a number of programs including Desert Aquatics,  was arrested on suspicion of concealment of a child from legal guardian. He was released on bail, set at $50,000.

The unidentified 16-year-old went missing from her home on July 22. Apple Valley Station detectives have been searching for her since and have served multiple search warrants as part of the process of gathering evidence.

In the course of enquiries, the detectives discovered that the teen had been allegedly communicating with John Casillas. They served a search warrant at his home in San Bernardino on Wednesday, August 5 and, in the presence of the coach’s 62-year-old father Alfonso, the teenager was found in the bedroom of the coach.

John Casillas was arrested while teaching swimming at a local country club. No specific charges have been laid, while Apple Valley and Crimes Against Children Detectives told local media that John Casillas knew the 16-year-old was being sought but did not call the police to report that he was in contact with her.

Authorities have issued an appeal for information: ” … contact detective Gus Garcia at the Apple Valley Station at -760-240-7400. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.”

The details of the Apple Valley case are yet to emerge but vigilance on such issues is a key theme in the United States, this week having seen the U.S. Senate pass key Olympic Governance reform legislation designed to provide safe sports environments.

 

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Mark Tierney
3 years ago

Hate to pass judgement before hearing the entirety of this story. Was he providing her with protective coverage from abusive parents, or was there some sexual misconduct with an underage child going on? Two complete opposite ends of the spectrum with all sorts of other things that could have been going on. The article says nothing other than they found her in his house with his father home as well. Does anyone know anything more about this?

Swimdad
Swimdad
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark Tierney

No chance. As a mandated reporter, his responsibility was to report to the authorities if he suspected she was at risk, not hide her in his bedroom.

kim blake
kim blake
3 years ago
Reply to  Swimdad

Exactly,
If you really think the child is being hurt in her home you call child protective services. You don’t take her to her and lie to authorities about her where abouts. He sounds absolutely disgusting.

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