Middle school cheerleaders in Lubbock, Texas suffered first and second-degree burns Wednesday afternoon after they were allegedly punished by their coach, KAMC reported.
The coach allegedly forced 13 Evans Middle School cheerleaders to perform “bear crawls” and “crab walks” on a scorching-hot outdoor track around 2 p.m. for cheering at a football game she did not want them to attend, KAMC reported.
“We told her our hands are burning, and she said she didn’t care,” one cheerleader, who asked the outlet to remain anonymous, said.
Thirteen cheerleaders at Evans Middle School in Lubbock, Texas are suffering from first and second-degree burns on their hands after they said their cheer coach made them perform “bear crawls” and “crab walks” on a hot outdoor track as punishment. https://t.co/GJUf9CqHdz pic.twitter.com/MWtOW1PB1W
— KTLA (@KTLA) October 12, 2024
Angel Thompson, the mother of one of the cheerleaders, told the outlet how her daughter showed her burned hands when asked how her day was at school.
“She put her stuff down in the car, went to sit down and said, ‘Mom, you want to know how my day was in cheer?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ She told me they got a punishment, and showed me her hands,” Thompson recounted.
Most cheerleaders were unable to continuing bear-crawling and crab-walking after the coach demanded they do it for one mile, according to the outlet. Some girls reportedly stopped after two laps because of the pain, while others got physically sick. (RELATED: Trans Cheerleader Booted From Camp After Allegedly Choking Female Teammate)
One parent said it was at least 125 degrees outside, the outlet reported.
The coach threatened the middle schoolers’ future careers in cheer if they refused to comply, the outlet reported, citing parents. While some girls saw the school nurse, no parents said they received a phone call, according to the outlet.
“It was malicious. It was intentional,” one parent said.
At least one cheerleader sought treatment at the University Medical Burn center, KMAC reported. An investigation is ongoing as parents hope the coach will face criminal charges.
The coach was reportedly placed on administrative leave. Lubbock Independent School District (ISD) released a statement condemning the incident, stating they “regret” the pain and distress that occurred.
“We are heartbroken over these events, as the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. This type of incident does not reflect the standards or values of Lubbock ISD and Evans Middle School. We are addressing this matter with utmost urgency, and are fully committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation,” Lubbock ISD said.
First-degree burns are mild and painful, with the top layer of skin (the epidermis) turning red but not blistering, like a sunburn, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Second-degree burns affect the skin’s top and bottom (the dermis) layers, resulting in pain, redness, blistering and swelling.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
