WOBURN, Mass. — Police are seeking criminal charges against seven Woburn High School students for allegedly attacking and sexually assaulting a freshman football player. The teen’s parents are also looking to sue the school and the city. They believe the school didn’t do enough after their son was punched, groped, and harassed by students.
Kevin Coucelos says his 14-year-old son Johnathan suffered so much trauma. That his son is no longer attending class at Woburn High School and is instead being home-schooled. Johnathan will be attending another school in the coming weeks.
Boston 25 News first reported the locker room incident last December when a disturbing video showed Johnathan being assaulted.
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Kevin says his son reported the locker room incident to his coach, but the harassment never stopped. Some of the students involved received five-day suspensions, but the family went to the police in October. Now, assault and sexual assault charges are pending against seven juveniles. On top of that, the family wants to see coaching staff and administrators held accountable.
“It’s not right. There should be more charges,” said Kevin Coucelos. “A lot more charges and a lot more individuals, especially the coaches. Especially the coaches, especially the head coach who runs that whole team. He should be disciplined. He should not be the head coach.”
Kevin says his family is also suing the city and school for the trauma they say the incident caused.
“Can’t put a dollar amount,” said Kevin Coucelos. “You’ll never bring my son back. What happened to him is going to stay with him for the rest of his life. We have counseling. We have all the resources possible.”
Woburn Public Schools has hired a firm to investigate the incident and its policies. The district released a statement saying in part, “We pledge to be forthcoming regarding the results of those investigations and pledge to enact their findings and recommendations, “We acknowledge and support the student and family that had the strength to come forward to report this deeply, troubling matter.”
A hearing was scheduled for today in Lowell Juvenile court to see if there is enough to go forward with the criminal complaints, but the teen’s father told Boston 25 News the hearing has been continued to March.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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