KOAM TV 7 Joplin and Pittsburg News Weather SportsProsecutor seeking adult status for two juveniles charged in Seneca hazing incident
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The case against eleven Seneca High School students charged in a hazing incident is now down to nine as charges are dropped against two juveniles.
All the students still facing battery charges appeared in court Tuesday morning in Crawford County.
Peyton Kinslow is the only student currently charged as an adult, with six felonies and one misdemeanor.
The Crawford County prosecutor's office says they are asking for adult status for two of the eight juveniles, Dalton Cummings and Logan Hirsch. Both are charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated battery.
The two students whose charges were dropped were originally charged with misdemeanor counts.
The charges stem from a hazing incident during a football camp held at Pittsburg State in early June. The teens charged in the case are accused of repeatedly hitting younger players with mini-blind rods.
All of the teens charged have been removed from the football team.
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The head high school football coach in Seneca, Missouri, and his coaches who were at a summer football camp are keeping their jobs, but are also on one year probation.
Eleven of their players at the camp have been charged with assaulting younger players.
The school board released a statement in part saying it found no evidence the coaches had any advanced knowledge of the hazing, were aware of the hazing when it occurred, nor attempted to cover up the players' misconduct.
The statement by the board also says it will implement a coaches' code of conduct and supervision plan for all activities.
Several parents say the head coach has contacted them, asking if their sons would be part of football practice scheduled for Thursday.
Parents of the younger players are scheduled to meet with the Crawford County prosecutor Wednesday evening to discuss where the case goes from here.
Seneca's school board says disciplinary action has been taken against the students.
The parents of at least six high school freshmen Seneca, Mo. football players have now stepped forward to report a series of assaults they say occurred during a summer football camp.
Parents tell us their children were attending a football camp at Pittsburg State University when they were assaulted by older players in the Nation Hall dorm.
The children reported to their parents, and now to the school district, that they were held down by older teammates and beaten with the rods from mini-blinds. Parents say the older players also placed their genitals on the faces of the younger players.
Parents of at least four of the six freshman reported bruising or cuts as a result of the alleged attack.
Parents of the freshman players told us that state Children's Services contacted them to schedule interviews for Thursday, June 17.
The incident was alleged to have happened last week.
A report of hazing was filed with the Pittsburg State University Police at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15.
Officials with PSU say they will be conducting their own investigation.
A spokesman from PSU says once the university's police department's investigation is complete a report will be given to the Crawford County prosecutor's office.
Seneca police say officers from Pittsburg State's security office and workers at Missouri's Family Support Division are investigating the incident.
Seneca School District Superintendent Rick Cook says he is aware of the situation.
"We are doing an investigation, there will be stones unturned and when we get through with our investigation, and we will present those facts to the board," Cook says. "Then we will determine what actions we need to take."
Excerpts from Seneca Superintendent Rick Cook interview on June 16, 2010 (1:19)
We contacted head football coach Rob Townsend who declined to comment.
As required of every school in the state of Missouri, the Seneca School District has a bullying policy which says discipline for students who participate in bullying:
"... may include, but is not limited to, suspension or expulsion from school and removal from participation in activities. ..."
Seneca's policy defines hazing as:
"... any activity, on or off school grounds, that a reasonable person believes would negatively impact the mental or physical health or safety of a student. ..."
The Missouri high school activities association issued a statement in response to the allegations on Thursday June 17. That statement includes the following:
"Coaches, directors, sponsors, and administrators must take an active role in the prevention of all forms of hazing and harassment. Students directly or indirectly involved in hazing incidents, on or off school grounds, could be considered ineligible by the school administration."
A three hour closed session with the Seneca school board and Superintendent Rick Cook was held Thursday June 17.
Superintendent Cook says the school's attorney is advising school officials to say nothing until the investigation is complete.
School officials say they have interviewed students, coaches and parents but the investigation will have to be completed before any major move is made.
"We have been advised to gather more information for the attorney before any decisions are made at this point," says Cook.
School officials have canceled weightlifting camp
No word on suspensions or expulsions pending the outcome of the investigation by school officials.
Students, parents, and residents of Seneca crowded into a school board meeting June 29.
Several students wore shirts in support of their school's football team.
Later board members adjourned into closed session where parents were interviewed about the hazing allegations.
Seneca resident Richard Rawlins spoke with us about the allegations.
"I think it's crap, in all honesty," Rawlins says. "It should have never happened. I'm an alumni of Seneca and it wouldn't have happened 20 years ago. The coaching staff would not have let this happen 20 years ago."
This district says it will soon issue a statement.
The school superintendent tells us a punishment will be handed down.
A senior from the Seneca football team spoke with us at the June 29 school board meeting.
Peyton Kinslow says the past few weeks have been challenging.
"Pretty bad - we haven't gotten to work out, do anything together," Kinslow says.
Kinslow did not want to discuss details of the hazing claim but he did say there were untrue rumors.
He says he and the rest of Seneca's football team have been ridiculed in and out of the community.
"We can't go to other towns with our football stuff on," Kinslow says. "Because people stare or say stuff."
Parents of some high school football team members in Seneca, Missouri were set to receive a letter Friday, July 2 from the Board of Education.
The letter was to inform parents of the board's plan of action in the wake of allegations of assault at a football camp.
KOAM has been unable to learn whether the letter has been sent.
School Superintendent tells us Rick Cook he has been advised by the district's attorney not to comment.
The following statement was sent to KOAM Friday July, 2010 by the Seneca R7 Board of Education:
"The Board of Education did not make any motions or take any votes during closed session on Tuesday night. There were lengthy discussions during closed session regarding very confidential student, personnel, and legal issues.
However, these discussions remain closed under the Missouri Open Meetings Act and under federal law regarding confidential student information. There is very little that we can tell you. We can tell you that the administration has imposed discipline on and made recommendations to the Board regarding students who were identified as engaging in misconduct.
We cannot say who received discipline or what that discipline is, but we can tell you that it is consistent with Board of Education policy. The investigation regarding this matter continues both internally and externally and additional action may be taken. We do not know now whether that will occur, and cannot discuss that further at this time. However, we are moving forward as rapidly as possible and are encouraging the outside agencies to complete their investigations as quickly as possible, as well.
We want to be sure that the correct action is taken with respect to those involved and we hope to conclude the matter – with proper action having been taken – as soon as reasonably and appropriately possible.
We are trying to do the right thing under the law, the right thing for those involved, and the right thing for the community. We hope that we will have the patience and support of the community as we work through this difficult process. Nothing is more important to the district than the safety and welfare of our students."
Seneca Superintendent Rick Cook says disciplinary letters have gone out to students who were alleged to have participated in the assault.
He says the students have a chance to appeal the discipline before the school board.
The Seneca school district has not said how many students have been disciplined or what specific action the district is taking.
Crawford County prosecutor Michael Gayoso met with Pittsburg State police on Friday July 9 regarding possible criminal charges.
Full news release issued July 12, 2010 by Pittsburg State University
Officers with the University Police at Pittsburg State University have completed their investigation into allegations of hazing by some high school football players from Seneca, Mo., during a camp at PSU in June. A complete report was submitted to the Crawford County Attorney today.
PSU police have referred and recommended multiple charges against 15 individuals. These range from charges of felony aggravated battery to misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor hazing. Because of the ages of those involved, names will not be released.
On June 15, Seneca school administrators contacted PSU Police to report allegations of hazing during a camp held the previous week. PSU Police Chief Mike McCracken said in response to the allegations, two officers from his department conducted more than 50 interviews over a six-day period in Seneca. Based on those interviews, the officers determined that the bulk of the alleged events took place on the afternoon of June 10 in the residence hall in which the Seneca football players were staying. McCracken said a number of hazing activities were alleged, the most serious was students being struck with plastic rods from window blinds.
McCracken said that out of the more than 50 students from Seneca who attended the camp, his officers identified 17 alleged victims and 15 alleged suspects. With the report in hand, it will now be up to the Crawford County Attorney's Office to determine what, if any charges to file.
McCracken said the large number of alleged victims and suspects, combined with the fact that the situation crossed state lines and involved juveniles made for a more complicated investigation, but the cooperation his officers received in Seneca was helpful.
"We appreciate the cooperation we received from school officials and members of the community during the course of this investigation," McCracken said. "It helped expedite the report and make it complete."
Crawford County prosecutor Michael Gayoso said July 12 that hazing will probably not be a charge since Kansas state statue defines hazing as initiation into an organization and these football players were already on the team.
Sexual misconduct will also not be a charge since Kansas law says the person doing the misconduct had to have received sexual gratification.
Gayoso says future court hearings will proceed regardless of state line.
"It complicates matters a little bit in as much as we wouldn't have to issue subpoenas for individuals that reside out of state," says Gayoso. "There is a procedure where we could force them to come. We'll have to file separate civil proceedings in Missouri in order for that to occur, but we'll see. I think all of the victims are cooperative in this case and I think we'll be able to secure their appearances in court."
Eight Seneca football players are charged with felony aggravated battery and three are charged with misdemeanor battery. Misdemeanor battery charges are expected to be filed against a fourth player.
Names of the suspects have not yet been released.
Crawford County prosecutor Michael Gayoso says one of the players will be charged as an adult. Gayoso said previously that he is charging one of the players with nine felony counts.
On July 15 the prosecutor released the name of the one student charged as an adult.
Peyton Kinslow, 18, is charged with six felony counts of aggravated battery and one misdemeanor count of battery.
According to court documents, Kinslow unlawfully, feloniously and intentionally caused bodily harm to another person in a manner whereby great bodily harm, disfigurement or death could be inflicted.
According to police and now the prosecutor, Kinslow was deeply involved in what went on during the football camp.
Court documents show at least 29 witnesses could be called to testify in Kinslow's case.
County prosecutor Michael Gayoso says there were at least 20 witnesses to the alleged beatings and some of the suspects are cooperating. He says there are other charges he wishes he could have filed.
"Several of the suspects were interviewed by the Pittsburg Police department," Gayoso told us on July 15. "There are incidences in the probable cause affidavit that dealt with individuals using their genitalia and rubbing it in the faces of several victims. Now, I would have loved to have brought some type of a sexual charge for that."
But Kansas law requires an element of sexual gratification on the part of the suspect in order to file those charges.
The July 15 Seneca school board meeting was similar to the meeting in June where the discipline of the football players involved in a football camp hazing incident was not talked about publicly, because board members went into closed session.
What was different from June's meeting is those in attendance.
In June it was a sea of parents and students, standing room only.
But this time there was only one adult, who left before the meeting was over.
When asked by the media what was discussed behind closed doors, the school board president said they would not comment at this time on what was said or done, if anything.
But Crawford County attorney Michael Gayoso is talking about how the Seneca school staff has been helping with the criminal investigation.
"We have been in close contact with Principal Fox at the Seneca High School," Gayoso says. "They did not influence my decision whatsoever as to what discipline should be brought. She was extremely instrumental, the entire Seneca (staff) was instrumental in setting up the interviews."
While school administrators and board members are not talking about what took place at the football camp people in town are talking about it.
"They knew what they were doing and they didn't give it a second thought and they did it anyway," says Seneca resident Jessica White.
"I think they should make them apologize to the parents and say they're sorry and I think they should not be able to play sports anymore, or something like that, or something bigger than what's going on now," says Chris Johnson, a freshman at Seneca High School.
Crawford County Attorney Michael Gayoso released the following names and charges on Friday July 16:
Three other students face misdemeanor charges.
KOAM/FOX 14 is only naming those with felony charges.
Gayoso says he will be meeting with all the victims and their parents later this month. He says these alleged outrageous acts by the offenders will not be tolerated.
They are scheduled to appear in court on August 10.
News release issued July 16 by the Seneca School Board
District personnel became aware of a situation on June 10, 2010, in which students in the Seneca R-VII School District (the "District") engaged in acts of hazing, acts which are in violation of Board of Education Policy, while attending a football camp at Pittsburg State University ("PSU") in Pittsburg, Kansas. Prior to any action taken by the Crawford County Prosecutor, District officials contacted local law enforcement and simultaneously conducted their own investigation into the matter.
During the District's investigation, District officials interviewed the victims, perpetrators and District staff. Additionally, witness statements were taken and requests were made to law enforcement for copies of the police report. Further, the District, after having carefully reviewed the facts, took strong disciplinary action against the students responsible. The District's disciplinary action occurred on or about July 1, 2010, prior to the issuance of any criminal charges. Disciplinary action for the twelve students who allegedly perpetrated these acts ranges from suspension to expulsion. In addition, and at the same time, the District removed 5 students from participation in athletics for 365 days. Four additional students were removed from the 2010-11 Seneca high school football team. Further, all of the students who have been charged criminally are prohibited from participating in the District's athletic activities and will not be permitted to participate in those activities until they have either been acquitted or have completed the punishment handed down by a court of law.
District officials are also conducting an investigation to determine whether any of its employees failed in their supervisory duties while at PSU. Employees who may have violated Board Policy and/or their responsibilities to District students will be disciplined accordingly. This investigation is ongoing and will come to a conclusion by the end of the month.
As always, the safety and welfare of District students is the District's highest priority. The District is committed to ensuring that our students are provided the highest quality education in an environment that is both safe and respectful. We assure you that the District takes matters such as hazing seriously and will work diligently to discipline all those responsible. We want to thank the community for its support and patience regarding this matter.
The head high school football coach in Seneca, Missouri, and his coaches who were at a summer football camp are keeping their jobs, but are on one year probation.
The school board released a statement Wednesday July 28 in part saying it found no evidence the coaches had any advanced knowledge of the hazing, were aware of the hazing when it occurred, nor attempted to cover up the players' misconduct.
Several parents tell us Head Coach Rob Townsend has called them asking if their sons would be part of football practice scheduled for Thursday.
The district's attorney says the board interviewed coaches July 27.
Parents of the younger players met with the Crawford County prosecutor July 28 to talk about where the case goes from here.
The statement by the board also says it will implement a coaches' code of conduct and supervision plan for all activities.
Click here to read the full statement issued July 28, 2010 by the Seneca School District
The case against eleven Seneca High School students charged in a hazing incident is now down to nine as charges are dropped against two juveniles.
All the students still facing battery charges appeared in court Tuesday, August 10 in Crawford County.
Peyton Kinslow is the only student currently charged as an adult, with six felonies and one misdemeanor.
The Crawford County prosecutor's office says they are asking for adult status for two of the eight juveniles, Dalton Cummings and Logan Hirsch. Both are charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated battery.
The two students whose charges were dropped were originally charged with misdemeanor counts.
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