Denver police are investigating an incident involving East High School cheerleaders and their coach during cheer camp.
Denver Public Schools superintendent Tom Boasberg said five school officials were placed on administrative leave after he was made aware of videos.
A video shows East cheerleader and freshman Ally Wakefield forced into a split by her coach Ozell Williams while screaming in pain and repeatedly asking him to “please stop.” Wakefield is being held by both arms by other cheer team members, who kept her from being able to remove herself.
Williams, principal Andy Mendelsberg, assistant principal and athletic director Lisa Porter, assistant cheer coach Mariah Cladis and Denver Public Schools’ deputy general counsel Michael Huckman all were placed on leave while the district and police investigate, Boasberg said a statement released to The Denver Post.
“We absolutely prohibit any practices that place our students’ physical and mental health in jeopardy,” Boasberg wrote. “We do not and will not allow any situation in which a student is forced to perform an activity or exercise beyond the point at which they express their desire to stop.”
Boasberg also said that Jason Maclin, an assistant principal, will serve as interim principal during the investigation.
KUSA-Channel 9 obtained eight videos in which multiple cheerleaders are pushed into splits and each of them scream in pain. According to reports by 9News the videos were all captured in June during the first week of summer cheer camp and at least one of those videos was sent to Porter then. Wakefield’s mother Kirsten Wakefield, sent an email to Porter asking what she would do about the incident that caused her daughter’s leg injury. She shared that email with 9News. Complaints by parents were ignored for more than two months, Wakefield told the TV station.
“With regards to certain videos, I cannot state strongly enough – as the superintendent of the school district and as the father of two high school-aged daughters — that the images and actions depicted are extremely distressing and absolutely contrary to our core values as a public school community,” Boasberg said.
Williams, who is also the founder of Mile High Tumblers 5280, said that what is shown in the video is being taken out of context.
“You can definitely say that what was in the video could be seen in a different light,” Williams said. “I would love to tell my story, but I can’t say anything else at this time.”
Williams has also taken leave from teaching tumbling classes until the incident is resolved.
Denver police officers are investigating the incident as a case of child abuse, but the department cannot release any other information while the case is pending.
