Youth court for players charged with sex assault

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) Seven New Jersey high school football players accused of sexually assaulting other members of their team in hazing incidents won't be tried as adults.

Middlesex County prosecutor Andrew Carey said Monday family court is the appropriate venue for the cases.

The Sayreville War Memorial High School players were arrested last month and face charges including hazing, criminal restraint and aggravated sexual assault. All are between 15 and 17 years old and haven't been publicly identified because they're minors.

The criminal complaints charge that from Sept. 19 to Sept. 29 some of the defendants held the victims against their will while others improperly touched them.

The school district canceled the football season in early October. The coaching staff has been suspended pending an investigation.