Former Toronto Blue Jays youth baseball instructor charged with child luring

A former lead instructor with the Toronto Blue Jays' academy for young players faces two charges involving sexual offences against children.

John DouglasHashimoto, 56, of Hamilton is charged with luring a child under 16 and an invitation to sexual touching, Halton Regional Police said in a release Thursday.

The release said Hashimoto is with the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy, but the MLB team later said in a statement to CBC Hamilton that he's a former employee.

Thestatement said the organization is "deeply disturbed to learn of the charges against a former seasonal employee, but as this is an ongoing legal matter, we cannot comment further at this time."

The BlueJayssaid Hashimotowas a seasonal employee with the youth academy from 2006 until early 2020.Spokesperson Jessica Beard said the organization terminated hiscontractduring the pandemic.

As part of his work, the Blue Jayssaid, he underwent a criminal record check every other year, andwas last cleared in November 2019. The team also said annual mandatorytrainingforits baseball instructorsrequiresstaff to not be alone with children and youth participants.

Baseball Canada imposes suspension

The Halton police release said Hashimoto's credentials include beinga master coach developer and evaluatorwith Baseball Canada.

Adam Morissette, spokesperson for Baseball Canada, said the organization is deeply concerned about the allegations andhas suspendedHashimotoindefinitely.

"Baseball Canada will fully co-operate with any police investigation and encourage those who may have more information to contact the HaltonPolice," said a release."Since this is a criminal investigation, Baseball Canada will not be providing any further comment."

Hashimotohas also been involved with youth baseball in Hamilton, and is a retired teacher with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

Police saidhe used the handle David or David 46 online.

Hamilton school board contactingfamilies

Shawn McKillop, spokesperson forHamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), said the board istroubled by the news.

In an email, McKillop said: "This is a concern with respect to child safety and we are supporting the investigation."

He said school communities where the suspect taught willreceive a letter "to reinforce the serious nature of the investigation."

The board said he worked at four schools between 1987 to 2019:

• Billy Green Elementary School.
• Dr. J.E. Davey Elementary School.
• Queensdale Elementary School.
• Sherwood Secondary School.

"We are sharing widely with these schools (from most recently to first hired at HWDSB) as our effort to support the ongoing investigation if there is anyone with more information," said McKillop.

In a letter to families, the school board also said: "If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse or sexual assault, remember the abuse was not your fault and there is no time limit on reporting the abuse to police."

Police reach out to public for info

Const. Steve Elms, a spokesperson forHalton police, wants anyonewho's had contact with the accusedin the past several years to contact them.

"We want to be able to provide support for those victims if they choose to come forward, and obviously we would like to be able to pursue more charges," he said.

"As a parent myself, you hate seeing this sort of thing any time anybody is in a position of authority over a youth, to see that position of authority being abused. It's a tragic thing."

It's unclear whenthe investigation started and the allegations first emerged.

Anyone with information should call Det. Todd Martinat 905-825-4747 ext. 8983 or Det. Const. Andrew Hulbert at 905-825-4747 ext. 8974. Both are withthe Halton Regional Police Service internet child exploitation unit.

Resources for sexual assault survivors and their familiesinclude:

• Kids Help Phone:1-800-688-6868 or text 686868 orkidshelpphone.ca.
• Children's Aid Society: (905) 522-1121 (intake) or hamiltoncas.com.
• Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton (SACHA) Crisis Line (905) 525-4162 or sacha.ca.
• Tips from the public school board foradults supporting children after a distressing event.