In March of this year, the mother of one Cooper City, Fla., high school student reported an incident of hazing which occurred during a team road trip for a baseball tournament in Altamonte Springs.
According to the report filed with the Broward sheriff’s office, five of the 16-year-old player’s teammates entered his room and pulled down his underwear before he could fight them off. The player allegedly witnessed the same teammates assault another player, as well as hearing rumors of other abuse.
According to ABC10 Local News, one player attempted to involve then coach Chris Delgado, but was told, “It's just baseball, keep it to yourself.” Delgado has since left his post at Cooper City High.
In a press statement, a spokesperson for Broward County Public Schools announced that the school will do everything they can to cooperate with the investigation being conducted by Altamonte Springs Police.
“The school has taken the allegations very seriously. At all times, the safety and security of our students are our highest priorities,” she said.
After conducting interviews with three of the alleged victims, Police are calling for charges of simple battery, false imprisonment, and sexual battery against eight members of the Cooper City high school baseball team.
Moving forward, the case is in the hands of the Seminole County state attorney’s office.