School district athletic trainer in New York accused of raping minor on New Year's Eve

An athletic trainer with the Geneseo Central School District in New York was charged with rape after he was accused of having sex with a child under 17 in December, according to New York State Police.

Austin Pratt, 30, of Wayland, N.Y., was charged Saturday with third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sexual act, both felonies, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, in connection with the incident, which allegedly occurred Dec. 31, police said in a release.

Pratt was an employee of F.F. Thompson Health Systems Inc. and served as an athletic trainer in the district, Geneseo schools Superintendent Tim Hayes said in a message on the district’s website.

"The safety and security of our students is of utmost importance and all reports of any kind are treated seriously," said Hayes. "Support will be available for any students in need of assistance."

The district is cooperating with the investigation, and parents with concerns about their children should contact the district, he said. 

Pratt joined UR Medicine Thompson Health in 2015 as an athletic trainer, and worked primarily at the health system's Rehabilitation Services center. Upon learning of his arrest, officials immediately terminated his employment, according to a health system statement.

"At this point we have no reason to believe that Pratt was involved in other instances of improper behavior," the statement read. "Our thoughts are with the victim and the victim's family."  

Pratt was remanded to the Livingston County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. An order of protection was issued to the involved minor, police said.