A number of sixth-grade boys were hurt on Monday, May 19, during a pre-athletics lesson at Woodville Middle School in Tyler, Texas.
The lads said their coach told them they could either complete their regular workout or participate in a TikTok challenge that entailed bear crawling on the scorching track. The boys decided to take on the challenge on the track, where the temperature was 140 degrees, above the threshold that can result in second-degree burns.
A number of the students received treatment at nearby hospitals and emergency centres after suffering burn injuries. Some students required treatment at Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston, Texas, due to the severity of their burns. The event is being looked into by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Cassie George, a mom, told news outlet that both of her sons received treatment at Shriners after suffering injuries. One boy was burned in the first degree, and the other was burned in the second.
“He got off the bus and we looked at it, and it was not cuts and bruises, it was straight up burns,” the mother told the outlet. “We were furious about the whole situation, the whole matter. It shouldn’t have been done. All these kids that suffered. It should have never happened like that. Like they said, they’re supposed to keep kids safe. That is just straight torture that they did to the kids.”
According to her sons, the instructor told them that the boy needed to “toughen up” his “soft hands.” Additionally, the youngster claimed that the coach made fun of the younger pupils if they failed the task.
The coach had already quit prior to this occurrence, and his last day of employment was originally scheduled for the last day of classes. However, the Woodville Independent School District (ISD) acknowledged that he was told not to come back to school following the incident on Monday, May 19.
“Due to a similar incident in 2019 at one of the Woodville schools, prior to my arrival and not related to a TikTok challenge, we put out guidance on not doing bear crawls on the track. This is not appropriate and will not be tolerated,” Lisa F. Meysembourg, Woodville ISD superintendent, told KFDM. “Myself, along with district and campus leadership, have called all of the families. We’ve told them we’re sorry. We regret their children had to suffer through this.”
“We are equally as concerned with the reports as the community and are taking the matter seriously, as our students’ well-being and safety is a top priority,” read the official Woodville ISD statement.
“The Superintendent and Campus Principal have launched a full internal review and are cooperating with local law enforcement,” the statement continued. “While federal privacy laws (FERPA) limit what we can share, we want to be clear: the employee actions described by the media do not reflect the values or expectations of Woodville ISD.”
Chief Mike McCulley told CBS Austin that the Woodville Police Department (WPD) is looking into the incident.
McCulley told the publication KFDM, “It’s a complete disregard for common sense,”
“Twelve to 14 parents have raised complaints. These are burns. We’ll try to determine the average temperature of the track. We’re gathering facts, medical information, taking statements.”
“We understand one coach objected to what was happening. We’d like to talk with both coaches. The information is coming in fast,” he continued, before confirming WPD will meet with District Attorney Lucas Babin. “He would decide whether to take it to a grand jury for possible criminal charges.”
