Four Boyd High School students have been arrested following an alleged hazing incident involving a 14-year-old football player in the school’s locker room, according to the Boyd Police Department.
Boyd is a small Wise County town of about 2,000 residents, northwest of Fort Worth.
Two 17-year-old students, Chason Lee-Earl Tucker and Noah Davis Stevens, are being charged as adults with injury to a child causing bodily injury and unlawful restraint. Two other students are being charged as juveniles and have not been publicly identified.
Police Investigate Locker Room Incident
Boyd police began investigating on September 3 after receiving a criminal complaint about an alleged hazing incident in the high school field house.
According to arrest warrant affidavits, the 14-year-old told investigators that several upperclassmen physically carried and dragged him from the weight room into the varsity boys’ locker room. He said he was then taken toward a dark shower area while trying to resist.
The teen told police he slipped on the wet floor and injured his hand and wrist, which had been recovering from a previous fracture.
The affidavits allege that the students removed the victim’s shirt and shorts and attempted to remove his underwear. Police said one of the 17-year-olds then pulled down his own clothing and sat on the victim’s chest while the teen was being restrained.
At one point, a coach entered the locker room after hearing a commotion and told the students to settle down, according to the affidavits.
Police said the beginning of the incident was captured by a security camera in the nearby weight room. The alleged attack itself occurred in the locker room, where cameras are not installed for privacy reasons.
Police Say Victim Reported Incident to Coaches
According to police, the victim later met with most of the football coaching staff and reported what happened.
Investigators said one coach allegedly told the teenager that the situation needed to be handled in the locker room and did not need to be reported further up. Police said two other coaches reported the incident to the school principal that night, while the victim’s parents contacted the principal the following morning.
The affidavits say the victim suffered bruising and reported pain in his previously injured hand and wrist.
Boyd Police spokesperson Officer Ray Cannon said the department does not tolerate these types of incidents, noting that the victim felt helpless.
“No one should have to go to their locker room or to their shower and expect to be assaulted,” Cannon said, WFAA reported.
Boyd ISD Conducts Title IX Investigation
Boyd ISD said Thursday that it is conducting its own investigation into the incident under a potential Title IX violation.
The district said federal regulations require it to complete the investigation before assigning discipline and that it expects the process to be completed soon.
Because the case involves confidential student information and juveniles, the district said it cannot release additional details.
Boyd police also said the safety and security of students and staff remain a priority, noting that full-time police officers are assigned to every Boyd ISD campus.
Defense Attorney Disputes Allegations
An attorney representing Stevens said Friday that the situation could have been addressed by the coaching staff and urged the public not to reach conclusions before all of the facts are considered.
The attorney said Stevens had experienced similar locker room behavior when he began playing football at the school and argued that the broader context should be considered.
“It’s unfortunate that lawyers have to become involved in a situation that could have been addressed by the coaching staff. But here we are. This kind of behavior has been going on for years at this high school,” Stevens’ attorney said. “Our client experienced similar locker room hijinks when he began playing football there. Context and culture matter.”
“This is a good kid who had just turned 17 when he was led away in handcuffs, like some dangerous criminal, at the end of the school day,” the attorney said, adding that people who know Stevens best support him.
The four students face criminal proceedings, and the allegations contained in the arrest affidavits have not been proven in court.
Boyd police are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the department.
Provided by Dallas Express
