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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. In his letter, Crowley said the incident that occurred this past September involved student athletes and included allegations of physical and sexual abuse of a student by their teammates. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing investigation. Coucelos alleged he also was punched by another student on a school bus, but the investigation determined Coucelos himself was the aggressor. 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. While charges are pending for some students, Couceles says the coaches and school leadership should be held accountable, too. He left his job as a paraprofessional at the Woburn school in April. It was dirty. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. Breaking News He was attacked in his Spanish class. PF343 PA206 STREAK2W. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It's not good for our school. He was harassed by a number of different students, said Hahn. Multiple criminal complaints have been filed against several New Jersey high school students following two probes into allegations of rampant abuse and hazing. Marotta said the investigation is ongoing and significant material was uncovered Wednesday, impacting the direction of the investigation and the entire school community. In the most disturbing incident, the parent said, her son was a freshman when four older teammates attacked him in a school hallway after Belcher allegedly encouraged stronger players to toughen up those perceived as weaker. Johnathan Coucelos (center) and his family have helped drive the scrutiny of Woburn's football program. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time. The Woburn Police Department received a complaint Wednesday involving members of a Woburn High School sports team regarding an incident earlier in the The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing investigation.In April, seven Woburn High School students were charged after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates in September 2021. 2023 by KYMA / NPG of Yuma-El Centro Broadcasting. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. In 1983, Belcher was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. One football player was accused of indecent assault for allegedly yanking down Johnathans pants and touching his genitals in the locker room episode. And at some point, he had to leave the school for his safety. 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. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. There is no indication in the report that the investigator, Patrick Hanley, a former state and county prosecutor, asked Belcher, Duran, or Callanan about the purported lack of training. Student leaders of the Woburn team took a stand in recent days supporting Belcher. It's not good. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. 2 Men Shot; 1 Dies In Early Morning Shooting In Woburn: Police, Woburn Teachers Ratify, Staff Ratify Contracts To Strike, MA Has Another Mega Millions Winner After $31M Ticket Sold In Woburn, Dive In Commonwealth Virtual Information Session, Free Online Mindfulness Session: Taming the Overactive Mind, Author Event with Sociologist Amanda Freeman, Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Woburn Public Library, Woburn Area Pet Adoption: Little, Roland, Hootie & More, Woburn Area Prospective Homeowners: Look Through 3 New Properties For Sale. "It was gross. Crowley did not provide details of the 2019 allegation. The court is expected to decide in early March whether charges are warranted. PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. "A freshman getting dragged down on the floor, them pulling down his pants and pulling down the other dude's pants and humping him in the face. April 14, 2022, 10:11 p.m. 7 students face charges in alleged Woburn HS hazing attack April 14, 2022, 10:11 PM Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved. One tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm. "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. Two other Woburn students allegedly accosted Coucelos later, he said. The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus. 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. It's a shame. Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was It was disgusting. "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. 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. WE NEED TO DETERMINE HOW THIS HAPPENED AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. Moving forward, he said all of the districts coaches will be required to undertake extensive supplemental training. The 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. Its hard on all of us.. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. It's not good for our school. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. In April, seven Woburn High School students were charged after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates in September 2021. Some Woburn residents are upset that alleged assailants were allowed to play at Fenway in the Thanksgiving game against Winchester. 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. 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. Nelson also determined the groping did not meet the narrow definitions of sexual misconduct under the Title IX law. An investigation into that incident found players violated the school and athletic code of conduct, but that the actions did not legally rise to the level of bullying or hazing. The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! And several players who face criminal charges remained on the team through a prestigious Thanksgiving game at Fenway Park and continue participating in offseason workouts. Belcher also serves as a substitute teacher in the school. REPORTER: THE MAYOR SAYS I SUPPORT HIRING AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO -- TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. >> WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE VIDEO? 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. The Coucelos family accused school officials of putting the football teams interests ahead of student safety with their disciplinary measures. 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. Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment, or retaliation in any form, the school district said in the statement. AT LEAST ONE PERSON IS WEARING A HAVERHIL FOOTBALL SHIRT. Its shocking that there still have been no repercussions for anyone in the athletic department, said Peter Hahn, the Coucelos familys attorney. The player alleges Woburn head coach Jack Belcher instigated the kick by encouraging older teammates to in Belchers words toughen up younger ones. Former Woburn High School football player Johnathan Coucelos said he was assaulted and bullied by teammates in the locker room, With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. He should have been fired., The Globe asked Belcher and other school officials to comment. He played two seasons for the Breakers after they moved to New Orleans and Portland. But, the former student said, he soon became disturbed by Belchers coaching methods, which he described as abusive. It was dirty. ", 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's a sad situation and hopefully they figure out what happened and it doesn't happen again. On Sept. 25, 2018, three years to the day No one was against it, Hanley described the player as saying. #ada-button-frame { Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. This is an active and ongoing investigation. A FOOTBALL PLAYER IS TRYING TO PULL OFF CLOTHING FROM ANOTHER YOUNG MAN AND LATER ENDS UP ON TOP OF THE ALLEGED HAZING VICTIM. Woburn likes to cover things up, said Kevin Coucelos, Johnathans father and a lifelong resident. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? Crowley said the school district consulted with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) and had a consultant from the Anti-Hazing collaborative work with all of their winter sports coaches. I don't think any town or any school is immune from it. 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. Danvers school committee faces harsh questions after report calls response to high school hazing into question, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. After months of waiting, the case is expected to be heard in juvenile court next month. Asked to cite an inaccuracy, Callanan did not respond. Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. Woburn School Superintendent Matthew Crowley issued a statement saying Coucelos was unjustly assaulted by other members of the football team. He wrote that Woburn is committed to providing enhanced training for athletic staff to ensure safe participation in athletics for all of our students., Crowley maintained that Woburns football coaches were aware of the prohibitions against bullying and hazing prior to the school year. It goes on to show a fourth teen in underwear squatting into the victims face, while other boys screamed and cheered, according to reports. Now, five years into Belchers coaching career at Woburn, the culture of his program and the school districts supervision of the former Boston College football standout are under scrutiny. 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. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Four days later, they stated, Callanan told them she had addressed the issue, without explaining how. He hasnt left his room, he has barely eaten," Couceles said of his son. 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. "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. Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.. The former Woburn player asserted the waiver was warranted in part because of the trauma he allegedly endured in Belchers program. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. Woburn High made no substantive efforts to curtail the bullying, they stated. Instead, Belcher instructed the traumatized player to return to the field for 35 more minutes of contact drills, his complaint states. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in connection to a hazing investigation in Woburn, Massachusetts. 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. juvenile justice system handle the Woburn bullying case? 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