Johnathan Coucelos (center) and his family have helped drive the scrutiny of Woburn's football program. I JUST THINK ITS AWFUL. Andrews is gone. (CNN) - Police are investigating whether a juvenile football player was hazed, and sexually assaulted at school. One football player was accused of indecent assault for allegedly yanking down Johnathans pants and touching his genitals in the locker room episode. "He just wants to be by himself all the time. Marotta said the investigation is ongoing and significant material was uncovered Wednesday, impacting the direction of the investigation and the entire school community. Crowley did not provide details of the 2019 allegation. Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. We couldn't do it without you. 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 NEED TO DETERMINE HOW THIS HAPPENED AND WHAT WE CAN DO SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. Hahn said a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Lowell Juvenile Court was moved to March. Black News Hour presented by The Boston Globe. Seven Massachusetts students charged in connection with alleged assaults on high school football teammate. Incidents like these have no place in our community, the superintendent added. "It was gross. That week, the Woburn Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney announced they were investigating the incident. Now, police are filing criminal charges against seven students accused of the assault. Couceles says a student pulled down his sons pants and groped his genitals. Sources tell 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 One has an additional "indecent assault and battery" charge. With Haverhill forfeiting the contest, Lowell will finish the season with a 4-7 record. The investigation found Coucelos also was assaulted in his Spanish classroom by a former football player who accused him of snitching and was punched in a school bathroom by a student who chided him for not defending himself more forcefully during the locker room assault. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved.". REPORTER: THE FOOTBALL STADIUM AND LOCKER ROOM IS 10 MINUTES OFF-CAMPUS. "This is an active and ongoing investigation. Four days later, they stated, Callanan told them she had addressed the issue, without explaining how. It hurts him to this day. The matter has also been referred to the Haverhill Police Department for further investigation, according to the school officials' message. Support GBH. 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. 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. His parents made that decision to withdraw him from the school because it was no longer safe for him to be there. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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.. Last spring, several schools across the state were faced with the emergence of hazing incidents on their athletic teams, some resulting in criminal charges against athletes and ties cut with coaches, athletic directors, and top administrators. 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. 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. 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He says there needs to be more accountability. He said he witnessed Belcher routinely pit players against each other during practice. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bullying claims date back years in Woburn High School football program By Bob Hohler Globe Staff,Updated February 26, 2022, It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. He left his job as a paraprofessional at the Woburn school in April. 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. But all these adults need to go.. Lowell Highs annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Haverhill has been canceled due to an alleged hazing incident involving Haverhill players that was The former Woburn player asserted the waiver was warranted in part because of the trauma he allegedly endured in Belchers program. 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. 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. He was attacked in the bathroom. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants 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. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. "Haverhill Public Schools will not tolerate hazing, harassment or retaliation in any form," the message reads. Belcher started his high school coaching career as an assistant at Bishop Fenwick in 2001. "The Woburn Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorneys Office are currently investigating the incident. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office has said they have been notified of the incident by woburn police. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time.". The freshman football player is seen pulling up his pants in the video. Its hard on all of us.. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy |Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships |, Daily News Updates 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 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. I want to cry every time I see that. I didn't like what I saw," said student Elliot Batista. I wish to be unequivocal in the fact that I join every member of the WPS administration in condemning physical and sexual violence in all forms," Crowley said. And in Woburn, police are "investigating whether a juvenile was hazed and sexually assaulted at the school in an incident involving the football team." WOBURN, MA The family of a Woburn 14-year-old who said he was threatened, punched and sexually assaulted in a school locker room is criticizing Woburn Public Schools, Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office for lack of action on the incidents, according to a Boston Globe report. 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. A hazing investigation at Woburn Memorial High School has led to charges against seven high school students. After months of waiting, the case is expected to be heard in juvenile court next month. Parents of the boy who allegedly was kicked in 2018 also faulted the school administration. 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. 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. A FOOTBALL PLAYER IS TRYING TO PULL OFF CLOTHING FROM ANOTHER YOUNG MAN AND LATER ENDS UP ON TOP OF THE ALLEGED HAZING VICTIM. Former Woburn High School football player Johnathan Coucelos said he was assaulted and bullied by teammates in the locker room, The only game left on the 2022 Haverhill High football schedule was the Thanksgiving rivalry game against Lowell High School. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Bullying and hazing happen when you pit players against each other like he does, Wilson said. 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. The Haverhill High School football stadium and locker room are located approximately 10 minutes off campus. >> WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE VIDEO? "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. 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 said in his letter Tuesday that the district has cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation. The middlesex county district attorney's office says woburn police notified them about the allegations, and are investigating. It's not good for our school. Just no, they're kids temperament, that stuff. It was disgusting. In one well-publicized incident of bullying last year, several members of the Woburn High School football team were eventually arraigned in Lowell Juvenile Court on charges stemming from an assault of a 14-year-old freshman player in the locker room. I feel like parents need to be more involved and acknowledge who their kids friends are. Due to the ages of those involved, no additional information is available at this time. Woburn police received a complaint on Oct. 13 regarding an incident earlier in the school year, the joint statement said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The Woburn High School football team was on the field Friday night against Melrose High School but off the field, an investigation is underway. Breaking News 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. Its shocking that there still have been no repercussions for anyone in the athletic department, said Peter Hahn, the Coucelos familys attorney. The 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. THE TEAM IS FORFEITING THE REST OF THE SEASON. The three-year initiative is called Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence. 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. 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. PARENTS ARE NOW REVISITING BASIC RIGHTS AND WRONGSAT HOME. In 1983, Belcher was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. THE MAYOR GOES ON TO SAY IM CONCERNED THIS HAPPENED, AND CONCERNED BY REPORTS THAT OTHER STUDENTS STOOD BY AND DID NOT INTERVENE. Woburn police and the Middlesex District Attorneys office are now investigating. He is a good person that cares tremendously for us.. It was dirty. We hadnt been winning a lot of games and I thought he might turn things around.. Then I saw it boil over into the locker room because it caused kids to literally hate each other and fight off the field.. 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. While charges are pending for some students, Couceles says the coaches and school leadership should be held accountable, too. It did explain that additional details were not released because of the ages of those involved. display: none; THIS IS VIDEO OF THE ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT IN THE FOOTBALL LOCKROOM. 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. Seven Woburn High School students are facing charges after a 14-year-old football player reported being attacked and sexually assaulted by his teammates. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. Hire A Woburn Area Pro To Get A Head Start On Spring Cleaning. 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. 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. "Any such misconduct will be responded to swiftly and it will undoubtedly have lasting repercussions for all of those involved. He instills hard work, with strict rules, respect for team members and respect for adults at all times. The Woburn Police Department and Woburn Public Schools will continue to work together to ensure the safety of all students, the statement said. James Austin's son is on the football team. The family is asking for accountability from the school. I urge all people involved to cooperate completely with the investigators so that the best and most just outcome can be reached. HOME3-3 AWAY4-0 NEUTRAL0-1. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. A family in Woburn, Massachusetts, wants to see justice served when it comes to the teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. 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. How many examples of this appalling behavior will it take to preempt the next hazers in waiting? Run by Black journalists at The Boston Globe, Black News Hour, a new radio program, delivers reliable news that connects with our community and expands on deeper issues impacting our city. 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. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. Saturday's statement did not provide details about the nature of the allegation and did not specifically mention the football team. A Woburn family is seeking charges against teenagers accused of assaulting their son in a high school locker room last fall. Two more students face charges for subsequent harassment in the weeks after the assault in the locker room. Woburn officials on Saturday issued a statement confirming that a detective was assigned to an investigation involving a high school sports team. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! 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