PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — An 18-year-old Boca Raton tennis coach has been taken into custody after authorities say a private lesson ended with the alleged sexual assault of a 6-year-old student inside a storage shed. The arrest occurred Friday following an investigation led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Alleged Assault During Private Lesson
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident took place on January 16 during a scheduled tennis session. Weather conditions had caused other families to cancel, leaving the 6-year-old as the sole student present. Investigators say the coach, identified as Cemal Kaya, allegedly led the child into a dark storage shed near the court under the pretense of having a “surprise” for her.
A criminal probable cause affidavit states that Kaya instructed the girl to close her eyes and open her mouth, telling her, “If you open, you lose.” The document further alleges that Kaya placed his finger, then his penis, in the child’s mouth. The girl reportedly told her stepmother afterward that what had happened was “nasty” and that she “didn’t like it.”
Investigation and Arrest
When questioned by the tennis academy’s manager, Kaya admitted to taking the girl into the shed for “15 seconds” but denied misconduct, claiming he only offered her gum. Forensic interviewers later confirmed the child’s account through demonstrations using anatomical dolls, consistent with the reported events.
Deputies arrested Kaya on Friday after establishing probable cause for charges of sexual battery on a victim under 12 and lewd or lascivious exhibition. He remains in custody without bond following his first court appearance.
Detectives Seek Additional Information
Investigators believe more victims may exist and continue to review Kaya’s conduct during his employment at various local tennis facilities. Anyone with information or who may have been victimized is urged to contact Detective V. Skuza at [email protected] or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.
Legal Paths for Families After Abuse by a Tennis Coach
When a trusted coach is accused of sexually abusing a child, parents are left grappling with fear, anger, and uncertainty about what to do next. In this interview, Florida sexual abuse lawyer Michael Haggard shares the legal options available to families. The conversation explains how criminal and civil cases differ, when a tennis academy or sports facility can be held responsible, and what steps parents can take to protect their child while seeking accountability.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: For families who just learned their child was sexually abused by a coach, what are the immediate legal steps they should consider?
Michael Haggard, Esq.: The first step is to make sure law enforcement has been contacted so the conduct is documented and investigated from a criminal standpoint. At the same time, families should speak with a civil sexual abuse attorney as early as possible so evidence is preserved, witnesses are identified, and any involved organizations—such as a tennis academy, club, or facility—are put on notice that claims may be brought.
Banville: Many parents assume a criminal case is the only path. How does a civil case differ, and why might it matter for these families?
Haggard: A criminal case is about punishing the offender and protecting the public, but it rarely addresses the full impact on the child and family. A civil case allows the family to seek financial compensation for therapy, long-term medical care, and the child’s emotional harm, and it also examines whether the academy, employer, or property owner failed to screen, supervise, or respond to red flags about the coach.
Banville: When the accused is an 18-year-old coach, can the tennis academy or facility also be held responsible?
Haggard: Yes, in many cases the focus is not only on what the coach did, but on what the academy should have done to prevent it. If they ignored background checks, left children alone in secluded areas like sheds, failed to enforce policies that require constant supervision, or mishandled prior complaints, they can face claims for negligent hiring, retention, or supervision.
Banville: What types of compensation are typically available in these civil cases for a young child and their family?
Haggard: Families can pursue damages for past and future counseling and medical treatment, the child’s pain and suffering, and the impact on their development and education. In egregious cases, punitive damages may be available to punish the perpetrator or an institution that showed reckless disregard for child safety, which can also push organizations to change their practices.
Banville: Parents often worry about their child having to testify or go through more trauma. How do you address that concern when you’re advising them?
Haggard: Protecting the child’s emotional health is always the priority. We work closely with therapists and forensic interviewers so the child doesn’t have to repeat their story unnecessarily, and in many cases we can resolve claims without a full trial. When testimony is unavoidable, we prepare carefully, use child-sensitive procedures whenever possible, and make sure the family understands each step so they feel supported rather than re-traumatized.
Banville: For families who are unsure if what happened rises to the level of a case, when should they reach out to a lawyer?
Haggard: They should reach out as soon as they have a concern that boundaries were crossed. A confidential consultation can help them understand whether the conduct violates Florida law or child protection standards, and there is no downside to asking questions early—delays can make it harder to gather evidence and hold both the abuser and any negligent organization accountable.
Talk With a Lawyer About Your Options
Families do not have to navigate the aftermath of coach-related sexual abuse on their own. Our legal team is available to review what happened, explain your rights, and discuss potential claims against both the abuser and any organization that failed to protect your child. To learn more about how the law may apply to your situation and what steps you can take next, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
