UPDATE: Ooltewah basketball players charged in rape case won't return to school
Posted: Dec 25, 2015 8:28 AM EST
Updated: Dec 31, 2015 2:36 PM EST
By David Carroll, Anchor
WRCBUPDATE: Three juveniles who are facing aggravated rape and aggravated assault charges will not be returning to Ooltewah High School, according to Hamilton County Superintendent Rick Smith.
The juveniles were members of the Ooltewah High School basketball team. Police say the victim is a freshman player.
The incident reportedly happened during the Smoky Mountain Classic Basketball Tournament. The three are being held in the Sevier County Juvenile Facility.
Family members tell Channel 3, the victim was treated and released from UT Medical Center in Knoxville, after an eight-day stay. Sources say two other players were also injured by teammates, although their injuries were not as severe.
The three basketball players, now dismissed from the team are accused of assaulting their teammate with a pool cue over Christmas break according to our partners at the Times Free Press. Police say the incident happened at a cabin in Gatlinburg, where the team was staying for a game. The victim needed surgery for his injuries.
"I'm just heartbroken, I'm so sorry this happened," said Rhonda Thurman, Hamilton County School Board member. "I just don't know what to say. I'm just sorry."
Thurman is outraged, that although the accused boys were immediately kicked off the team, it is taking several days for a central office decision on punishment.
"I'm furious because the board hasn't been told the details, and what we don't know is maddening to me," said Thurman. She says the entire team should have come home from Gatlinburg immediately after the incident.
"If this is what it's come to, then we need to reconsider why we have sports in school," said Thurman. "We need to send a clear message that if there is any hazing of any kind going on in any sport, your season is terminated immediately."
Thurman wants an emergency meeting to discuss the school district's policy. Superintendent Rick Smith describes it as a "tragic situation" and says the three accused will not be back in school anytime soon. Smith says meetings and decisions will need to wait until everyone returns from break on Monday.
"I wasn't elected to guard the cat litter box, to cover up crap, that is not why I'm here," said Thurman. " I'm here to represent taxpayers and they want this dealt with swiftly. He could have died. It's a miracle he did not die."
Superintendent Smith says the charges most definitely warrant a long-term suspension. The offense does fall under the school's zero tolerance policy which could mean a full year of suspension at the very least. Meanwhile the Ooltewah team has continued to play its regular schedule, coached by Andre "Tank" Montgomery. The team has played in 3 games since the alleged assault. Their next scheduled game is at home against Hixson Monday January 4th at 7:30 p.m.