Warren Central student hospitalized with second-degree burns after majorette team practice

INDIANAPOLIS — A Warren Central High School student athlete’s parents are calling for stronger safety measures at the school after they say their 14-year-old daughter suffered second-degree burns during majorette practice last week.

A competitive dancer since she was a toddler, the freshman’s parents said she was excited to be a part of the majorette team, pushing herself so she wouldn’t get cut.

“She was loving the first few weeks of high school,” Travis Peagler said. “Now she’s not.”

When Peagler picked his daughter up last Thursday, he recalls immediately noticing her injured hands.

“I’m like, ‘how did your hands get like that?’ She said, ‘well the coach had us doing bear crawls but she made me do extra because I got three Fs on my report card,'” Peagler explained.

Peagler said the team was made to do bear crawls around the outdoor track, which FOX50/CBS4’s Weather Authority team estimates could have reached between 110 and 140 degrees that day, one of the hottest days of the month.

“This isn’t discipline. It’s child abuse,” Peagler said. “These are young girls. They’re not training to be a Navy SEAL or Army Ranger, and even their hands don’t look like that.”

Peagler said he went through airborne training in the military, and believes discipline builds toughness – but that this incident crossed the line into danger. His daughter has now spent days in the hospital, expecting up to six months of recovery time and possible long-term effects.

“Now she’s questioning like, ‘Is this my fault? I feel bad.’ That’s what’s going through her head,” said Stacey Peagler. “So she has an emotional experience with this, too.”

Stacey Peagler said she sent photos to the coach, who, when asked to explain, told Peagler, “Other teams were doing it.”

“Then she sent a link to the parents on how to treat blisters,” Travis said.

“…Immediately after I sent the pictures to her,” Stacey added.

A spokesperson for the school district said in a statement that they’re aware of a conditioning drill that resulted in “several students” sustaining injuries, and they’ve launched an investigation.

“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, conducting an active investigation, and remain in close contact with students and families to support their recovery. The safety and well-being of our student-athletes will always be our top priority, and we remain committed to listening to our students and families as we learn from this incident.”

MSD of Warren Township spokesperson

The Peaglers’ attorney told FOX59/CBS4 he sent the district a letter of representation but hasn’t formally filed anything. Right now, the family is asking for answers, accountability and changes to prevent any more harm.

“We don’t want to see no parent have to go through what we’re going through right now,” Travis Peagler said.