Police Investigating Woburn High School Team Incident - Woburn, MA - Officials did not specify the team, but WCVB reported Friday that the football team was The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. Police are investigating and members of the teams coaching staff have been placed on administrative leave. 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. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.. Johnathan Coucelos, with his family: from left, mother, Jeanny, brother Jaxon, Johnathan, sister, Karmen, brother Jacob, and father, Kevin. 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. Woburn Memorial Football. But that disappointment pales in comparison to the disturbing allegations leveled at members of the Haverhill High School football team. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. 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. A Woburn school psychologists evaluation states he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, causing him significant symptoms of anxiety and depression, due to the violence he endured. Morning Weather This is an active and ongoing investigation. Woburn Police have assigned a detective to the case. REPORTER: THE MAYOR SAYS I SUPPORT HIRING AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO -- TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. But conflicting witness statements prevented Nelson from establishing who groped Coucelos, he stated. "It's just so wrong how they're handling it. Belcher, who with Callanan hired Andrews in 2021, remains, as does Duran, who supervises the football coaches and also is considered responsible for player safety. "Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. WE NEED TO DETERMINE HOW THIS HAPPENED AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. Belcher started his high school coaching career as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in 2001. A video of the incident allegedly shows members of the Haverhill High School football team hazing a teenage boy. The 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. That week, the Woburn Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney announced they were investigating the incident. 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. It's not good. "We wish to state, without reservation, that the Woburn Public Schools took this matter seriously as soon as we learned about it and that our response was comprehensive and thorough.". The three-year initiative is called Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence. What happens when providers turn to medication first? Sources tell Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The middlesex county district attorney's office Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. 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. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! "It was pretty nasty, making us look bad. "We need to determine how this happened and what we can do so that this never happens again," Fiorentini said. Crowley said in his most recent statement to the Globe that the school district also will make certain that the investigators are aware of this past, unsubstantiated allegation regarding Coach Belcher to ensure that they are provided with any and all context necessary for a full and fair investigation.. Unfortunately, Lowells seniors wont be able to experience that joy of victory or agony of defeat. He was attacked in his Spanish class. "I urge patience as we are all eager to view the results, myself included.". 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. Severe Weather Alerts "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. Lowell staged a miraculous comeback in last year s contest, scoring 34 points in the second half to stun the Hillies, 41-36. >> I DONT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH KIDS TODAY. 2 Player of the Year, High school roundup: Vinny D'Urso, Lowell Catholic blank Haverhill, 1-0, MVC boys basketball: Tewksbury's Ryan Cuvier named Div. 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. 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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. One tradition put on hold, while another continues, exposing vulnerable youngsters to physical and emotional harm. Crowley said in his letter Tuesday that the district has cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation. Andrews, a 2020 graduate of Endicott College, indicated his football experience was limited to Pop Warner and high school. It's a sad situation and hopefully they figure out what happened and it doesn't happen again. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. It was very nasty. We couldn't do it without you. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? In response, Woburn school superintendent Matt Crowley issued a statement that said, I was informed by the High School administration that there was one allegation of bullying made against Coach Jack Belcher. It's really not a bad 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 I FEEL BAD. It's been a turbulent few years for the Woburn football program. He says there needs to be more accountability. There was little to no supervision in the locker room, he said. 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. This content is imported from Facebook. Woburn police received a complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the school year, the joint statement said. Somehow, ganging up or picking on someone half ones size has come to symbolize the kind of toughness required to be successful on a football field, basketball court or hockey rink. It was disgusting. I told Belcher hes an adult bully and shouldnt be coaching anybodys kids, the parent said. 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. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. The federal Title IX law protects students against many forms of discrimination and violence, including bullying and hazing. No one ever came in and checked when things got loud or out of hand.. 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. #ada-button-frame { It was disgusting. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Four days later, they stated, Callanan told them she had addressed the issue, without explaining how. 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. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. I think the parents need to take action. He hasnt left his room, he has barely eaten," Couceles said of his son. He was attacked in the bathroom. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. 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. Head football coach Jack Belcher has posted a 29-20 record at Woburn. They explicitly and repeatedly informed the players of those prohibitions both prior to and subsequent to the [attack]., Crowleys assertion appears contrary to head freshman coach Chris Scichilones statement in the investigative report that training related to hazing or Title IX only occurred after the incident and Andrewss statement that he did not receive any formal training with respect to hazing until after the incident.. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. 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 Callanan hired him in 2017 to succeed Woburns legendary coach, Rocky Nelson, and a former student who played in three of Belchers first four years at Woburn said, My first impression of him was positive. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. How will the Mass. The committee will likely go into an executive session in order to determine the next steps that should be taken in the hazing investigation. The Rams released him in training camp before he was drafted by the Boston Breakers of the fledgling United States Football League. CNN A high school near Pennsylvanias capital has canceled its upcoming football season over reports of hazing by members of the schools football team. ", "The boys involved in this disgusting incident should be immediately permanently removed from the team," the mayor said in his statement. "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. AT LEAST ONE PERSON IS WEARING A HAVERHIL FOOTBALL SHIRT. His new school joined in seeking the waiver and injunction. Its hard to watch but Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media shows his son being assaulted in the locker room of Woburn Memorial High School after a football game last September. Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini said Thursday that he supported hiring an outside firm to conduct the investigation. 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. 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. It's not good for our school. The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. >> IT IS KIND OF DISTURBING AND NASTY. Peter Hahn, the attorney representing the Couceles family, said five high school students are facing charges for assault and battery for the September incident. Detective assigned to investigate allegations of hazing involving Woburn High School sports team. ", 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. Several media outlets have reported on a video, posted to Boston 25, allegedly showing members of the football team hazing a teenage boy. 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. 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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 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. Bob Hohler can be reached at robert.hohler@globe.com. 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. 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. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. Belcher told Hanley he had left the building before the incident. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Callanan said in an e-mail, I can reaffirm that I acted appropriately throughout my handling of the familys claims and that much of the information provided to you to date, and which you have printed, is inaccurate.. Parents deserve to know when they send their kids to play high school sports that their children will be safe.. 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. Couceles said his wife decided to pull their son out of the Woburn school for his safety in December. 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. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved. >> WANT TO GET STUDENTS -- STUDENT ATHLETES AND ADULT LEADERS IN A ROOM AND START TALKING ABOUT HOW TO BEAT HUMAN BEINGS. It hurts him to this day. Seven teenagers are facing criminal charges in connection to a hazing investigation in Woburn, Massachusetts. It was dirty. 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 Now there was a heavy police presence here at the game, but no issues here tonight. It's really not a bad school. Coucelos reported the violent incidents to coaches and the police who did not take enough action. 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. }Customer Service. Crowley did not provide details of the 2019 allegation. 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. Student leaders of the Woburn team took a stand in recent days supporting Belcher. Marotta said the investigation is ongoing and significant material was uncovered Wednesday, impacting the direction of the investigation and the entire school community. Seven Massachusetts students charged in connection with alleged assaults on high school football teammate. The Rockets improved to 2-0 by dominating Woburn, 35-7, last Saturday at Woburn High. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. "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. 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. 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