Massillon Police Investigate High School Rape Allegations

Massillon, OH  - Parents and students are on edge after three young girls say they were passed around from student to student and used as sexual toys.

At least 14 teenage boys are being targeted - some of which play football for Massillon Washington High School.

From what 19 Action News has been able to uncover - three girls, ages 14, 12, and 12 had been passed around between a large group of young men in the past few months.

Girls the guys had just met, and met specifically for sex.

Being investigated are 14-young men. Some from Massillon Washington High School including four high profile athletes.

Some of the incidents happened at parties. The young girls found a chance to hang out with the older crowd and may have been put in some bad situations.

Because of their extreme young age, whether it was consensual or not, the young men now face rape charges.

(AP) - Authorities said four Massillon Washington High School athletes are among the students.

Offenses listed on police reports include non-forcible rape and assault.

"We have 14 suspects at this point, most of them are students in the high school and other buildings in the district as well," said Massillon police detective Bobby Grizzard.

The allegations first came to light on Sept. 29 in a police report about a 12-year-old girl's sexual contact with an adult male, Grizzard said.

The adult males involved in the investigation are between 18 and 21 and the juveniles are between 14 and 17.

Grizzard said most of the incidents being investigated took place at two Massillon homes on the city's southeast side. The case has not yet been presented to the Stark County prosecutor and charges have not been filed.

Multiple incidents occurred at one of the locations between May 1 and Sept. 29, according to a police report.