Wilson said he wasnt surprised by news of bullying in Belchers program. "The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office also said they were notified about the allegations by police and are participating in the investigation. HOME3-3 AWAY4-0 NEUTRAL0-1. Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was The Couceles family reported the assault to police in October. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. How will the Mass. Woburn Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Crowley sent a letter to the community on Tuesday to provide an update on the "troubling situation involving the WMHS athletics program that has been covered in the news recently. "I think the parents need to take action, I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are and just know their kids' temperament," Austin shared. Some Woburn residents are upset that alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the Thanksgiving game against Winchester. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. An alleged hazing incident is under investigation at the high school in Woburn, Massachusetts. Ten football captains six seniors and four juniors circulated a letter to news outlets, saying they were not trying to minimize any allegations that are being investigated by the proper people., In fact, we all condemn bullying of any kind, the captains wrote. Following reports of the misconduct, Attorney General Maura Healey convened a conference of policymakers to address the abuses. ", The teen was joined by his parents Kevin and Jeanny and his lawyer Peter Hahn, who said the school failed Coucelos. He was harassed by a number of different students, said Hahn. Jessica Callanan, principal of Woburn Memorial High School said in a statement to Greater Boston, "the Coucelos familys complaint is and should be taken seriously. >> I DONT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH KIDS TODAY. Crowley said they have reached out to the Couceles family. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". Detective assigned to investigate allegations of hazing involving Woburn High School sports team. They have known for years they have a bully coaching our kids and they havent done anything to stop him, Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father, said. It was very nasty," said student Felix Molina.The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus.Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave.Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. Whats more, the family says, no school employee has publicly accepted responsibility for the trauma, while the students answer to criminal charges. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are investigating a complaint received earlier in the week involving members of a Woburn High School sports team. I wasnt there to protect my son," Couceles shared. It took a big toll on him, very big toll.. One tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm. The student said he felt ill and experienced a lingering headache, but he did not seek treatment from the team athletic trainer for fear of being further characterized as weak. Two more students face charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after the assault in the locker room. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. The Rams released him in training camp before he was drafted by the Boston Breakers of the fledgling United States Football League. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. Two players were suspended from school for two weeks over the incident, but while one quit the team, the other continued playing football during his suspension, the family said. The two teams were scheduled to play in Haverhill at 10 a.m., the time all high-school games are played on that season-ending day for most teams. Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85, A condition called POTS rose after covid, but patients can't find care, Drones fly deep inside Russia; Putin orders border tightened, Rep. Lauren Boebert Gets Absolutely Schooled By Jamie Raskin Using Trump's Own Words, SoCal storm timeline: More snow, heavier rain expected Wednesday, The Killer New Volvos Will Leave You Breathless, See how your Pennsylvania county ranks on voter friendliness with this interactive scorecard, SpaceX launches second-generation Starlink internet satellites. But, the former student said, he soon became disturbed by Belchers coaching methods, which he described as abusive. The video appears to show three boys one of them wearing a Haverhill football shirt dragging another teen across the floor of a locker room. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. Unlike Callanan, who told Hanley she feels terrible for Johnathan, Belcher expressed less empathy, saying he was aware of Coucelos before the attack in a negative way, as a pain in the neck or wise-guy.. I also told the principal, who didnt stop him.. Its hard on all of us.. High school students in Woburn, Massachusetts, are facing criminal charges after incidents of hazing, including one that was recorded and posted on social media after a football game last September It's a shame. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. mm 34 32 Ruben high school football team on the gridiron in a friday night matchup against Melrose. An incident serious enough to put the Haverhill football coaching staff on paid administrative leave, and initiate a probe into the matter by the citys Police Department. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. It's not good. They're spirits of loved ones, Bill needs a kidney: Tyngsboro man searches for lifesaving donor, Lowell Catholic boys basketball team blows out Belchertown, No end in sight for case involving Dracut doc charged with patient's death, Toddler safe, car theft suspects apprehended, MVC girls basketball: Dracut's Ashlee Talbot named Div. All rights reserved (About Us). The family, meanwhile, is asking a judge to review a Woburn District Court clerk magistrates decision to reject applications for criminal complaints against Callanan and Woburn Detective Edward Fumicello, the school resource officer, for allegedly allowing video surveillance footage of the hallway outside the locker room and coachs offices to be deleted after they viewed the recording, despite an ongoing investigation. But former players and parents allege bullying became routine under Belcher, who has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. All seven face single counts of assault and battery, while one also is charged with indecent assault and battery for allegedly grabbing Couceloss genitals. Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. James Austin's son is on the football team. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. "It's just so wrong how they're handling it. Haverhill High School is shutting down all football activities, canceling all future practices and forfeiting the Thanksgiving Day game, due to an alleged hazing incident involving some members of the school's team. Marotta said the investigation is ongoing and significant material was uncovered Wednesday, impacting the direction of the investigation and the entire school community. The Globe reported on Saturday that the freshman said he was attacked in a locker room and grabbed by the genitals in an incident caught on video following a September game. The remaining coaches reported hearing nothing unusual from their offices near the locker room, despite the loud commotion, which numerous players recorded. Hes suffering, and were trying to bring him back to normal, but its going to be very hard, said Kevin Coucelos, who with his wife, Jeanny, has four school-aged children. }Customer Service, An inexperienced and ill-trained volunteer assistant football coach failed to inform his supervisors at Woburn Memorial High School after a 14-year-old freshman player, Johnathan Coucelos, reported last fall that he was jumped by teammates in a locker room, according to. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. In 13 seasons there, Belcher went 78-63 and was named the Globes coach of the year in 2008, after guiding his team to a 10-2 record and the league title. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the #ada-button-frame { He added, "I used to wake up and go out with half of my friends and now I'm just locked up in my room and finally going into a different school. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. While the coach generally treated his son relatively well because he was one of the teams better players Logan is now a quarterback at Fitchburg State University Wilson said he was aware of Belchers practice of pitting older, stronger players against other teammates. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants I think the parents need to take action. He also serves as a substitute teacher in the school. Woburn school officials were aware of alleged bullying in the high school football program for several years before 14-year-old freshman Johnathan Coucelos was attacked by a swarm of teammates in the locker room last fall, according to court records and interviews with former players and parents. Support GBH. The Globe does not identify victims of alleged sexual assaults unless they give their consent. The freshman football player is seen pulling up his pants in the video. KYMA/CBS 13/KECY is an equal opportunity employer. Full statement: "On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Woburn Police Department received a complaint involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the school year. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. But off the field, an investigation is underway, Sources tell News Center Five Police are investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team. LEAGUE 4-1 2nd Middlesex - Liberty. FIRST ALERT FORECAST: Calmer wind speeds and warmer temperatures coming soon, FIRST ALERT FORECAST: More winds and warmer temps on the way, Proposition 17: Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. "We are committed to a thorough, multifaceted fact finding operation, and we pledge to be forthcoming regarding the results of those investigations and to enact their findings and recommendations., "As these investigations remain active and ongoing, we will continue to allow that process to unfold," he added. The report said the freshman was then harassed for months both physically and through text messages, leading to him dropping out of school out of fear for his own safety. An inexperienced and ill-trained volunteer assistant football coach failed to inform his supervisors at Woburn Memorial High School after a 14-year-old freshman player, Johnathan Coucelos, reported last fall that he was jumped by teammates in a locker room, according to an independent investigators report obtained by the Globe. The superintendent said in his letter Tuesday that Woburn Public Schools has retained outside private counsel -- the law firm of Butters Brazilian LLP and Attorney Patrick Hanley -- to conduct a comprehensive Title IX investigation, which remains ongoing. There should be a lot more charges," he said. He says there needs to be more accountability. It goes on to show a fourth teen in underwear squatting into the victims face, while other boys screamed and cheered, according to reports. 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