Twelve families have filed a lawsuit against Texas Leadership Academy San Angelo regarding the alleged hospitalization of as many as 20 students in late February, according to the lawsuit filed April 10 in the 193rd Judicial District Court of Dallas County by the Waco-based Cherry Johnson Siegmund James law firm.
The law firm also posted a statement on its website.
The lawsuit alleges students were forced to continue strenuous physical exercises without water or rest, despite visible signs of distress, leading to serious medical complications, including rhabdomyolysis, which can be fatal. The filing alleges systematic child abuse, gross negligence and a coordinated institutional cover-up.
The lawsuit came nearly a month after TLCA announced in an email to parents that the program’s athletic director and head football coach had left the organization as of March 13, the San Angelo Standard-Times reported at the time.
The email, obtained by the Standard-Times, stated that three other coaches had been retained, but will serve in non-coaching capacities, and that a search for a new athletic director and head football coach is was underway.
“Our priority is ensuring that this transition does not disrupt the experience of our student-athletes,” a statement in the email reads. “We are working closely with our staff to maintain stability and ensure our athletic programs run smoothly.”
“Please know that above all, the safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority. We will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and positive environment for all students on our campus.
“Thank you for your continued support of our athletic program and school community.”
It was not stated in the email if these changes were related to what had been multiple reports referencing a disciplinary workout that caused multiple students to seek medical treatment.
Lawsuit against TLCA San Angelo alleges abuse, long-term health effects
According to the filing from April 10, the events began on or about Feb. 25, when coaches directed approximately 50 students to perform continuous push-ups as punishment for a jersey mix-up. Doors to the gym remained closed and students were forced to continue for an hour without water. When the children collapsed, the five adult coaches (Kent Sherrill, Bradley Oh, Stetson Emfinger, Emmanuel Serna and Brandon Richardson) — and one administrator (Robert Wray, assistant principal) present during the punishment — allegedly ordered them to continue and mocked them while they cried out in pain.
The punishment continued for three days, with court documents stating the children’s pain had become so severe that they were unable to lift their arms or perform basic tasks.
In the days following the incident, as many as 20 students were hospitalized and diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, which is a serious condition involving the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue that can cause kidney failure and death.
The lawsuit details the injuries, including one child’s laboratory values being 750 times the upper limit of normal and at least one hospital stay lasting up to seven days. Several children required nephrology referrals for permanent kidney damage, and many continue to undergo ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy and recovery from lasting physical and emotional effects. The complaint also states that some students have been advised they may face long-term or permanent limitations on physical activity, which could affect their future health.
The complaint alleges that not one school official contacted any affected family to inquire about the student’s health. According to the lawsuit, school leadership failed to report the abuse, quietly reassigned coaches, inserted liability waivers into registration materials and instructed employees to delete incriminating emails.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses, pain, suffering and emotional distress by the students and their families. It also seeks punitive damages to hold defendants accountable for the alleged conduct and to deter similar actions in the future.
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X @Paul_Witwer, Instagram and TikTok at pwitwer_sast.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Families sue TLCA San Angelo over alleged student abuse
Reporting by Paul Witwer, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
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