A Quad City baseball coach accused of molesting an 8-year-old girl was released from jail Thursday night, after his $200,000 bond was cut in half.
34-year-old Anthony Molina pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges of child sex abuse at a hearing in Rock Island earlier iin the day.
Police detective Marcy O'Brien was ready to testify at the preliminary hearing about what evidence lead to the charges and the former baseball standout's arrest, but defense attorney Steve Hanna instead, waived the hearing, in return for a lower bond.
''They (the state) agreed to reduce the bond down to $100,000 if we waived. We went ahead and waived it, so we can get the bond down and get him out of jail'', Hanna said after the hearing.
Hanna again said Molina claims the molestation accusations are false. ''He's disappointed. He says these are fabricated and this deals with an ex-girlfriend and other things I can't comment about'', Hanna said.
Judge Jeff O'Connor entered a no contact order and order of protection to keep Molina away from the little girl and her mother.
Molina was suspended on Friday, May 25th as coach of the Quad City Cannons baseball team at a special meeting held by the team's Board of Directors.
An email sent to parents reads ''the Board unanimously, immediately, and indefinitely suspended Mr. Molina from all duties and roles associated with the Quad City Cannons. In addition, Mr. Molina has been barred from attending any and all Quad City Cannons functions, including but not limited to practices, games, fundraisers, and celebrations.''
The former Moline High School baseball star was famously beaned in the eye during a college practice in 1999, dashing his hopes of turning pro.