Multiple students from the majorette team at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis have suffered serious injuries, including second-degree burns, after being subjected to intense physical punishment during a practice session. Parents are demanding accountability and changes to ensure the safety of student-athletes following the incident.
On September 18, 2023, during a day when temperatures reached nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit, several girls were ordered to perform bear crawls on the hot track as punishment for their grades. One parent, Travis Peagler, expressed his disbelief after picking up his 14-year-old daughter, Trinity Peagler, and seeing her blistered hands. “It was shocking to see her hands burned and blistered,” he stated.
Trinity reported that she had been forced to do these bear crawls, which resulted in her being hospitalized at Riley Hospital for Children. Medical professionals confirmed that she suffered from second-degree burns and heat exhaustion. “Her burns will take at least six months to heal fully, with possible long-term effects,” Peagler added, emphasizing the emotional toll on their family.
The situation has raised significant concern among parents at the school. Trinity’s mother, Stacey Peagler, questioned the judgment of the coaching staff. “What made you think that it was appropriate to have them doing bear crawls on an asphalt track in such extreme heat?” she asked.
Photos shared on social media depict the severe blisters on Trinity’s hands, illustrating the physical consequences of the punishment. Peagler, a former member of the 82nd Airborne Division, remarked, “I’ve undergone rigorous training, but nothing compares to what these kids were subjected to.”
“This isn’t discipline. It’s child abuse. When you send your kids off to school, you expect for them to come home safe,”
Peagler stated, expressing the frustrations felt by many parents.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for MSD of Warren Township acknowledged the situation and stated, “We are aware of an incident during last week’s dance team practice involving a conditioning drill on the track that resulted in several students sustaining blisters to their hands from the surface. We are taking this matter very seriously and are conducting an active investigation.” The district emphasized that the safety and well-being of their student-athletes remains a top priority.
Another parent, Ronnisha Banks, shared her own concerns after her daughter, also a freshman majorette, suffered similar injuries. “I was livid. I just couldn’t believe it,” she said, detailing the impact the injuries have had on her daughter’s ability to complete schoolwork.
Both families are advocating for changes in the school’s approach to discipline and are seeking accountability for the events that transpired. “We don’t want to see any parent have to go through what we’re going through right now,” Peagler said, highlighting the need for collective action.
Banks has reached out to the Indiana Department of Child Services, while the Peagler family has retained legal counsel as they navigate the aftermath of this incident. They have not yet filed any formal documents but are determined to pursue answers and ensure that such situations are prevented in the future.
As the investigation continues, the community awaits further details on the school’s response and any measures that will be implemented to safeguard the well-being of its students.
