A high school track athlete, Alaila Everett, faces a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery after hitting a competitor’s head with her baton during a relay event. The incident occurred on March 4 at the Virginia State High School League Championships at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
Video footage shows Kaelen Tucker, a junior from Brookville High School, stumbling and reaching for her head after being struck by Everett’s baton. Tucker was diagnosed with a concussion and had to be attended to by medical personnel.
Everett claims the incident was an accident, stating that her arm became stuck in her baton as they neared a corner of the track. She denies intentionally striking Tucker, saying “I would never do that on purpose.”
The athletic director at Everett’s school and her father have apologized to Tucker’s family over the phone. The Virginia High School League has reviewed the incident and is investigating further. The Portsmouth NAACP is also reviewing the case, calling for a fair and due process-based investigation.
Everett faces a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery, but her supporters argue that the charges are unwarranted and that she should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/high-school-runner-baton-charge-virginia/story?id=119733312