BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Leo Donaldson, the Bloomfield High School cross-country coach who was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, remains in the Essex County Correctional Facility on $400,000 bail, with no 10 percent option.
Donaldson was arrested Oct. 27 after being discharged from a hospital he had entered Oct. 20, the day Bloomfield School District authorities were notified of his arrest warrant.
Donaldson’s attorney, Peter Gilbreth, of Morristown, would not say why Donaldson was hospitalized. Bail was high, Gilbreth said, and without a 10 percent option, because his client was charged with serious offenses with more than one alleged victim. A 10 percent option allows the defendant to put up cash or property valued at 10 percent of the full bail in order to secure a bond from a bondsman for their release.
“I may try to have the bail reduced,” Gilbreth said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. “I first have to review the discovery. I don’t think it’s too helpful to run into court without the facts.”
Donaldson’s next court appearance, a status conference hearing, will be Dec. 2 before Judge Richard Sules, according to Gilbreth.
Donaldson is charged with first degree aggravated sexual assault; second degree aggravated sexual assault by contact; third degree aggravated criminal sexual contact; and endangering the welfare of a child.
He lives in a red-brick house on Lincoln Street, a quiet residential area with well-trimmed lawns, near the Belleville border. Because of Halloween, the front porch to the house was decorated this past weekend with a large spider web. Pumpkins, chrysanthemums and small gourds line the steps leading to the door. According to Kathy Carter, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman, Donaldson is married to Bradley Donaldson. According to property records, the house is in both their names.
A neighbor, who spoke anonymously on Saturday, Oct. 29, said that he saw boys during the summer doing yard work and entering the house. Donaldson is charged with having committed the alleged offenses, during this year and last, at his Bloomfield home and where he previously lived in Jersey City.
The neighbor said that twice a car, designated as being from the ECPO, recently came to the Donaldson residence and removed boxes from the house. The days the neighbor remembered this happening was Thursday, Oct. 27, and Friday, Oct. 21.
“They kept to themselves,” he said of the Donaldsons.
A note left by this newspaper in the mailbox of the Donaldson residence, on Friday, was found to have been removed on Saturday. Someone did answer the door on Saturday but declined to speak on the record.
In a letter to the community released on Oct. 27, Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Salvatore Goncalves wrote: “I am saddened and disheartened to inform you that Leo Donaldson, a Bloomfield High School teacher and athletic coach, was arrested by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office earlier today. We are working closely with the Prosecutor’s Office as the matter continues to be the subject of an active investigation.
“Unfortunately, the allegations are very serious and disturbing. In the meantime, Mr. Jennings and I want to ensure that every child has access to counseling, if necessary. We have contacted the Bloomfield Township Department of Community Services and we have enlisted the support and assistance of Carol Manning, LCSW, to assist in providing mutual aid to the district including daily support, crisis and intervention and assessment with students, faculty and/or family members. If you or your child wish to speak to someone, please contact our Crisis Counselor, Kathleen Gebhardt at 973-680-8600, ext. 4276, and she or Ms. Manning will schedule an appointment with you. Additionally, if necessary, please feel free to reach out to the Special Victims Unit of the Prosecutor’s Office at 973-753-1130.
“Although I am unable to share more detailed information at this time, please know that we are deeply committed to the safety and welfare of your child. If you are aware of any information that may assist the Prosecutor’s Office in its investigation, please contact: Captain Steve Roberts at 973-621-4700.”
The boys and girls cross-country teams competed in the Essex County Individual Championship race Friday afternoon, Oct. 28, at Brookdale Park, in Bloomfield. According to BHS Athletic Director Steve Jenkins, the team was to be led by acting head coach Chris Romano. In a field of 21 boy’s teams, Bloomfield finished in 11th place.
The girl’s team, in a field of 15, finished in 9th place. Donaldson is also a teacher of architecture at the high school.
The BHS boys’ team enjoyed a highly successful season in dual-meet competition, finishing undefeated in the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division with an 8-0 record. The squad won the team title at the SEC-Liberty Division Championships on Oct. 5 at Branch Brook Park, Newark.
The announcement of Donaldson’s arrest was made on Oct. 27 by acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray and Bloomfield Police Director Sam DeMaio.
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