North Attleboro man, 40, charged with having sex with 13-year-old at YMCA
By Kirsten Glavin
@kirstenglavin
NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA – Corey Ruel, 40, of North Attleboro was arraigned on five counts of statutory rape, Tuesday after reportedly admitted to having an 8–month long relationship with a13-year old high school student he met at the Attleboro YMCA on North Main Street.
"I’ve only been a member for a month or two, but you’d never expect something like this to happen at a YMCA," one member leaving the gym told ABC6 News.
Ruel, of 45 Anawan Road, is a husband and father of three children. Members were generally disgusted and shocked to learn it happened inside the building, and were concerned that Ruel was around other children.
"I have two daughters of my own, and I just can’t imagine what the parent’s are going through and the daughter as well,” the member added.
"It’s really upsetting to have kids come here and have to worry about that,” another member said.
North Attleboro Police stated that Ruel worked at the YMCA as a part–time karate instructor. However, ABC6 spoke to the CEO, Robin McDonald, who said he was only a member. She would not comment on if Ruel was still an active member, after learning of the charges.
ABC6 caught up with a female coming from the basketball courts at the Y. "I’m definitely shocked that it happened but I’ve been in there playing basketball with my boyfriend, and there has been staff that has come in. I think they do a great job. But on the other hand, it’s also the parent’s responsibility if they’re dropping them off at the person’s house,” said the member.
Ruel reportedly admitted to North Attleboro Police that over the past 8 months, he also had sex with the girl at his home. He told her parents that she was babysitting his children.
ABC6 did go to the house, where family answered, but would not comment.
Ruel was held on $50 thousand dollars cash bail.
In 2011, a swim coach at the same YMCA was charged with possessing child pornography.
