Hudson Valley youth soccer coach arrested for allegedly kissing teenage girl
A soccer coach in the Hudson Valley is accused of kissing a teenage girl. It allegedly happened during a youth soccer clinic in White Plains.
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A soccer coach in the Hudson Valley is accused of kissing a teenage girl. It allegedly happened during a youth soccer clinic in White Plains, according to officials.
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced Wednesday that a coach at a youth soccer clinic held at Rochambeau Alternative High School, in White Plains, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses for allegedly kissing a 15-year-old girl and making suggestive comments to her.
“Protecting our young residents remains among my highest priorities as Westchester district attorney. Our office treats offenses against children with the utmost seriousness. We are proud to take a proactive role in the community educating young people to recognize abusive and inappropriate conduct. We urge anyone with further information about this incident to contact our office," Cacace wrote in a press release.
Jose Grajales-Giraldo, 44, of Mamaroneck, is facing two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of sexual abuse in the third degree.
Officials with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office say Grajales-Giraldo approached the 15-year-old girl at the beginning of soccer practice on Jan. 25, 2025, and kissed her on the cheek. They further allege that Grajales-Giraldo kissed the girl again toward the end of practice.
One week later, Grajales-Giraldo allegedly asked the same girl if she was good at keeping secrets. Then, he told her he really liked her and wanted to kiss her.
Grajales-Giraldo pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday.
Families in the Hudson Valley say they are shocked by the allegations.
"That's crazy, that is really crazy," says Westchester County resident Lucy Rivera.
Laura Ahearn, an attorney, social worker and executive director of The Crime Victims Center, says quick action from law enforcement in alleged cases like these is critical.
"They enter into this process where they begin to chip away at boundaries, they start to make comments to children. That process often leads to sexual victimization," Ahearn explains.
The soccer clinic was not an event sponsored by the White Plains School District.
Wednesday coverage
Anyone with further knowledge of the case is urged to contact the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office at 914-995-8477.
News 12 reached out to Grajales-Giraldo's attorney and has not yet heard back.
