The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Some Woburn residents are upset that alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the Thanksgiving game against Winchester. The Middlesex County District Attorney's office says Woburn police notified them about the allegations and are investigating. Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved., Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said in a statement shared on Facebook Wednesday night that he was alarmed, concerned, and frankly disgusted by the video and that this can never be allowed to occur again., He said the boys involved in the incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team., I fully support the superintendents actions in cancelling the Thanksgiving game, suspending those involved and conducting a full investigation, he said in the statement. It doesn't feel the same anymore to be out in public," he said. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office also said they were notified about the allegations by police and are participating in the investigation. "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. Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta notified parents Wednesday that the school department is looking into misconduct involving some members of the high school football team. The former Woburn player asserted the waiver was warranted in part because of the trauma he allegedly endured in Belchers program. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The Woburn case is one of numerous violent incidents in high school sports over the last year that have captured the attention of government officials, civil rights groups, and student safety organizations. 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. Andrews, a 2020 graduate of Endicott College, indicated his football experience was limited to Pop Warner and high school. AT LEAST ONE PERSON IS WEARING A HAVERHIL FOOTBALL SHIRT. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. 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 was gross. It is my understanding that the allegation was made in 2019 and that the High School administration promptly investigated the allegation in accordance with our bullying prevention policy and procedure, and that it was not substantiated. Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. Because the investigation involves minors, both the Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office told NBC10 Boston they cannot provide information about the case. Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. 2 Player of Year, Two men arrested on firearms, drug trafficking charges in Tewksbury, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds. A Woburn family is seeking charges against teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was caught on video. Coucelos, who is 14, told Jim Braude on Greater Boston Monday that his life has changed drastically since the attack, and the harassment has not stopped. I want to cry every time I see that. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.. "I am alarmed, concerned and frankly disgusted by what I have been told and by the video that I was shown," Fiorentini said in a statement Wednesday night. Today and every day, I urge every member of our community to be kind to one another and do everything in their power to be part of making our community kinder and stronger. KYMA/CBS 13/KECY is an equal opportunity employer. The family is asking for accountability from the school. Following reports of the misconduct, Attorney General Maura Healey convened a conference of policymakers to address the abuses. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. It was disgusting. display: none; REPORTER: THE FOOTBALL STADIUM AND LOCKER ROOM IS 10 MINUTES OFF-CAMPUS. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. 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. REPORTER: THEY ARE KICKING OFF THAT PROGRAM DECEMBER 8, EVOLVING -- INVOLVING THE MASS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS AND SOCIETY GROUP. But conflicting witness statements prevented Nelson from establishing who groped Coucelos, he stated. Hearing In Woburn Football Assault Case Postponed The probable cause hearing initially scheduled for Tuesday will not take place until March, the attorney for the He instills hard work, with strict rules, respect for team members and respect for adults at all times. The moments before were obstructed from view by the crowd gathered around. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. Now, police are filing criminal charges against seven students accused of the assault. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. #ada-button-frame { Belcher, 60, has been familiar to many in the Woburn area since he was a three-sport star at neighboring Stoneham High School in the late 1970s. Four days later, they stated, Callanan told them she had addressed the issue, without explaining how. Woburn police received a complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the school year, the joint statement said. Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. At BC, he was a 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound football center and team cocaptain under coach Jack Bicknell, snapping the ball to quarterback Doug Flutie. Officials in Woburn said Saturday that authorities are An alleged hazing incident is under investigation at the high school in Woburn, Massachusetts. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media shows his then 14-year-old son being assaulted in the locker room after a football game last September. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. Seven Woburn students charged in alleged locker room assaults on former football player, Read the original report: After Woburn football player endures multiple alleged assaults, parents left outraged by official response. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in Hanley found the team assault was planned, organized, and executed by a substantial number of sophomore players. One player said he punched Coucelos multiple times after the sophomores like 30 kids decided to beat up Johnathan.. "They haven't given my son or even us any support whatsoever," Kevin Coucelos said. 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. Crowley, in a letter to the community this month, said the district has retained an outside law firm to conduct a Title IX investigation of the Coucelos incident, which will be followed by an administrative review and policy analysis by a separate outside agency. 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. But the abuse continued, according to their complaint, and in 2019 the parents submitted a 10-page report to Callanan detailing additional bullying their son had endured from Belcher and from his teammates at Belchers alleged direction. Last September, Johnathan Coucelos had just finished dressing in the freshman locker room when he got jumped by about a dozen teammates, a video recording shows. 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 MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CREATING A PROGRAM WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE TO STOP HAZING AND TO REMIND STUDENTS PLAYING SPORTS IS A PRIVILEGE. "The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. 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. Warren said a formal announcement is forthcoming. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Woburn police are seeking assault charges in Lowell Juvenile Court against seven Woburn students, including five football players, for the alleged locker room attack and two subsequent incidents in which Johnathan was the alleged victim. We're live in Woburn. PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. ", Watch: Woburn High School accused of ignoring allegations of bullying. While arraignments have begun in Lowell Juvenile Court for seven Woburn students, including five football players, charged with assaulting Coucelos, his parents say the report underscores that Woburn school officials head football coach Jack Belcher, athletic director Jim Duran, and principal Jessica Callanan, among them failed to adequately protect their son. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. Andrews is gone. "Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day before the Coucelos incident, a 15-year-old Woburn player was kicked so hard in the head by a teammate that he stumbled, dazed, from the practice field and vomited, he stated in a civil case pending before the state Supreme Judicial Court. 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. The statement issued by Police Chief Robert Rufo, Mayor Scott Galvin and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Crowley did not state the nature of the complaint or the specific team, but WCVB reports that officials are investigating whether a teenage member of the football program was hazed and sexually assaulted. It's really not a bad school.". Severe Weather Alerts 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. "We acknowledge and support the student and family that had the strength to come forward to report this deeply troubling matter," Woburn Superintendent of Schools Matt Crowley told the Globe. NEW! Hahn said a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Lowell Juvenile Court was moved to March. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. Coucelos alleged he also was punched by another student on a school bus, but the investigation determined Coucelos himself was the aggressor. Nelson also determined the groping did not meet the narrow definitions of sexual misconduct under the Title IX law. Belcher, as the head coach, is responsible for the programs culture, according to specialists in student-athlete safety. It's a sad situation and hopefully they figure out what happened and it doesn't happen again. Moving forward, he said all of the districts coaches will be required to undertake extensive supplemental training. Lowell staged a miraculous comeback in last year s contest, scoring 34 points in the second half to stun the Hillies, 41-36. KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Three years later, he became the head coach at Bedford High School. THE MAYOR GOES ON TO SAY IM CONCERNED THIS HAPPENED, AND CONCERNED BY REPORTS THAT OTHER STUDENTS STOOD BY AND DID NOT INTERVENE. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. Two more students face charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after the assault in the locker room. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. 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. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. It's not good for our school. "The only game left on the 2022 Haverhill High football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell High School.The Haverhill School Committee was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. REPORTER: THE MAYOR SAYS I SUPPORT HIRING AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO -- TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. He said one punched him several times in a school bathroom, and the other entered his Spanish classroom, grabbed him by the shirt, and warned him not to snitch. The Woburn High School football team was on the field Friday night against Melrose High School but off the field, an investigation is underway. A hazing investigation at Woburn Memorial High School has led to charges against seven high school students. 2023 by KYMA / NPG of Yuma-El Centro Broadcasting. The Globe does not identify victims of alleged sexual assaults unless they give their consent. I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. That message from Police Chief Robert Rufo, Mayor Scott Galvin and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Crowley comes one day after sources told NewsCenter 5 that police are investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team. In Peabody, members of the football team were disciplined last week after a video showed players unsupervised in a locker room last month using a racial slur and mimicking sexual acts. I told Belcher hes an adult bully and shouldnt be coaching anybodys kids, the parent said. He is a good person that cares tremendously for us.. THIS IS VIDEO OF THE ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT IN THE FOOTBALL LOCKROOM. The middlesex county district attorney's office Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. It's not good for our school. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. The only game left on the 2022 Haverhill High football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell High School. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. There was little to no supervision in the locker room, he said. He says there needs to be more accountability. 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. It hurts him to this day. This content is imported from Facebook. Instead, Belcher instructed the traumatized player to return to the field for 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states. A parent who asked not to be identified said her son, who graduated in 2021, was bullied on the practice field, in the locker room, and elsewhere in the school by his football teammates. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? In a statement shared Wednesday evening, Fiorentini said he received a call from Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Marotta, briefing him on a hazing incident at the high school. Haverhill High School students who saw the video said the lewd acts shown on that video happened in the locker room of the school's football stadium, Trinity Stadium. The Coucelos family accused school officials of putting the football teams interests ahead of student safety with their disciplinary measures. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. Crowley said they have reached out to the Couceles family. ", 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. It was very nasty. Callanan is leaving after the school year to become the director of academic achievement at Reading Memorial High School. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing investigation. All of those charged are students at Woburn Memorial High School. "I understand that there have been strong reactions to this situation and appreciate there is a deep desire for as much information as possible regarding the incident and the school districts response," Crowley wrote. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. "As school leaders, we acknowledge and have offered support to the student and family that had the strength to come forward to report this deeply troubling matter," the superintendent wrote. 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