A Kentucky high school football game was stopped early after a fight broke out on the field, and a 36-year-old woman allegedly decided to intervene by choking one of the teenage players.
The incident happened on October 30 during a football game between Wayne County High School and North Laurel High School in Monticello, Kentucky. The woman, identified as Kayla Barrett of East Bernstadt, now faces a felony charge of second-degree strangulation.
According to Law & Crime, the trouble started with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter when players got into a confrontation near the North Laurel sideline. Fans from both teams then reportedly rushed onto the field, forcing officials to end the game.
Woman Allegedly Choked High School Football Player From Behind
LEX18 reports that Barrett allegedly approached a Wayne County player from behind amid the chaos and began choking him. The teenage player told police that the assault blocked his airway and made it difficult for him to breathe.
A criminal complaint obtained by WLKY states that Barrett put both hands on the back of the player’s neck and shook him violently. Police said the player was taken to Wayne County Hospital’s emergency room for evaluation.
“The Monticello Police Department was dispatched to the Wayne County Emergency Room in reference to a reported assault that occurred during the Wayne County vs. North Laurel football game,” the police department wrote on Facebook. “A Wayne County football player was being evaluated for injuries sustained during the incident.
“Upon arrival, K-9 Officer Bertram conducted an investigation and determined that a Wayne County football player had allegedly been strangled from behind by a female spectator during the game.”
Multiple people reportedly witnessed the alleged assault, and investigators were able to get video from the North Laurel football team that showed Barrett in the area around the scuffle. Police have not said why Barrett allegedly assaulted the player.
Kentucky Woman Banned From School Sporting Events
The Monticello Police Department, with assistance from the Kentucky State Police, investigated the incident and arrested Barrett on November 3. She was booked into the Laurel County Detention Center and subsequently released on $5,000 bond.
Barrett was ordered not to have any contact with the alleged victim or his family as part of her release conditions. She was also barred from attending any school sporting event anywhere in Kentucky.
The Monticello Police Department condemned the incident, writing, “High school athletics should be a venue where student athletes can compete safely and without fear of violence or intimidation. While emotions can run high during competitive sporting events, there is absolutely no justification for physical violence against players, coaches, officials, or spectators.”
By the way, North Laurel was awarded the win 21-12, the score of the game when it was halted by the fracas.
Unfortunately, this sort of behavior has become increasingly common in youth sports. Some adults still haven’t gotten the memo that youth sports are about the kids, not them.
Last month in Massachusetts, parents had to separate a coach and referee during a confrontation at an 8-and-under girls’ flag football game. Also, earlier this year, former MLB pitcher Joe Kelly said he was punched by a fan while coaching his son’s 9-year-old baseball team.