Coach is charged with raping baby sitter

New Bedford man faces other counts

A New Bedford youth baseball coach and father of four children was charged yesterday with raping his 14-year-old baby sitter at least twice, once within the last week, police said.

David Coderre, a 29-year-old assistant manager at the Wal-Mart in Abington, was arraigned in New Bedford District Court yesterday on two counts of rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. He pleaded not guilty, and was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail.

Police allege the two rapes occurred within the last month. The girl and her parents reported the alleged assault to police, who arrested Coderre yesterday after an investigation.

Police said that they continue to investigate "to assure, among other things, that if there are any other victims, they are identified." The alleged victim was not identified.

Coderre is a youth baseball coach of children ages 8 to 13 in the North End neighborhood of New Bedford, but it was not clear last night what league he was involved in.

The arrest shocked Coderre's family, who called him an "excellent dad." His nephew, who would describe himself only as Eddie, said he looked up to his uncle, who taught him how to play different sports and was "like an idol."

Coderre's father, Edward Coderre Sr., said that he is trying to learn all of the facts involved.

"There's more to it than this," he said. "It don't add up. My son is a good father."