Three foster children have been removed from the home of a 65-year-old Wahiawa youth soccer coach accused of sexually molesting two boys, including a 7-year-old player diagnosed with a venereal disease.

State Department of Human Services spokesman Derick Dahilig wouldn't say how long Frederick Rames, of Holua Way in Wahiawa, has been a foster parent or how many children he has cared for, citing an ongoing investigation. He did say the three children, all in their teens, were removed from Rames' home Thursday, the day Rames was arrested.

"We're working closely with authorities," Dahilig said yesterday. "What was important to us is to have all the children safe."

Neighbors told a reporter Saturday that Rames was a longtime foster parent.

Rames was charged Saturday with six counts of third-degree sexual assault and was released yesterday on $150,000 bail. Police said Rames is accused of sexually assaulting the 7-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy.

Authorities could not say whether either of the victims had been in Rames' care. Police said they are interviewing children and parents who have come forward.

Rames, who coaches a team with the Soccer Association for Youth, founded a nonprofit organization to tutor underprivileged children and also has been a substitute teacher at Ka'ala Elementary School in Wahiawa.

Filings with the state say his nonprofit, called Community Services Inc., has a current certificate of good standing. The organization, according to the filings, provides "tutoring ... and transportation at no cost to children in need."

Rames operated the nonprofit out of his home. According to a 2001 article in The Advertiser, he also tutored children at the home, and offered to pay their soccer league fees as incentive for them to finish homework or study.

Meanwhile, state Education Department spokesman Greg Knudsen said Rames has not been on the state's substitute teacher list for two years.

Neighbors said Saturday they were shocked at the allegations against Rames.

Rames was arrested Thursday afternoon near Ka'ala Elementary School before a youth soccer practice. Police said the investigation started after a 7-year-old boy was diagnosed with a venereal disease during a routine physical exam. The boy told police he had been sexually assaulted by his soccer coach.

Third-degree sex assault is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, authorities said.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.