Seaford athletic trainer indicted on sexual abuse of child

A former athletic trainer for Seaford High School faces felony charges after officials said he had a sexual relationship with a high school student.

Jerry Sodano, 52, of Bridgeville was indicted by a Sussex County grand jury March 13 on five counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child. All counts are felonies.

Speaking during a press conference March 14 in Georgetown, Attorney General Kathy Jennings said Sodano was an athletic trainer at Seaford High School more than six years ago when he engaged in an illegal sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.

“There is nothing our office takes more seriously than child victims,” she said.

Jennings said the alleged incidents took place between August 2016 and January 2017 when he was in a position of trust and authority over the student. Jennings shared no further details in order to protect the student’s privacy.

Sodano was released on $78,000 cash bail, and he is under GPS monitoring. Jennings said Seaford School District placed Sodano on administrative leave, and he is not actively working around students.

Officials continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to contact Det. Lingo of the Delaware State Police at 302-752-3864.