KY school district sued over sexual assault hazing claim at football camp
Editor’s note: This story contains details some readers will find disturbing.
A student who claims they were sexually assaulted at a football camp this summer is suing the McCreary County School District, superintendent and high school football coach.
The suit, filed Nov. 19 in federal court, accuses Superintendent Clint Taylor, football coach Sam Marple and the district of negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, assault, defamation, and Title IX violations.
The alleged incident happened in early August at Camp Wakon’ Da-Ho, off KY 70 in Casey County.
Kentucky State Police officials previously confirmed to the Herald-Leader they were investigating hazing allegations made Aug. 28 involving football players in the district.
The following day, KSP opened an investigation into potential first-degree sodomy, police records show. A notation in the record shows police seized brooms as part of the investigation.
The lawsuit alleges Marple failed to report the incident to the school board, and the boy’s mother was not notified until a month after the incident.
The lawsuit also says McCreary County High School officials falsely accused the plaintiff of being an accomplice to the hazing even though he was a victim of the hazing.
The Herald-Leader does not typically identify victims of sexual assault. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the student by the student’s mother, listed by initials in court documents.
John Blevins, a lawyer for McCreary County Schools, did not immediately comment. Michele Wilson Jones, an attorney for the parent that filed the lawsuit, told the Herald-Leader Thursday, “In an effort to protect the privacy of our client we respectfully decline to comment at this time.”
Casey County Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Wright told the Herald-Leader that no criminal charges had been filed as of Thursday morning.
“We’re still gathering information from law enforcement’s investigation,” Wright said.
The McCreary County incident is the latest in the series of nationwide incidents in recent years.
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM.
