Thirteen cheerleaders at a middle school in Texas have reportedly been left with first and second-degree burns following an alleged "malicious punishment" from their coach.
As reported by local outlet EverythingLubbock, the eighth-grade cheerleaders at Evans Middle School in Lubbock say they were made to perform "crab walks" and "bear crawls" on a scalding outdoor track as "punishment".
They claim they had to perform the punishment for one mile, but many of them were unable to finish due to the searing temperature of the track.
The student alleged to EverythingLubbock.com that the "malicious punishment" was a result of the team performing a cheer at a recent football game that their female cheer coach found "disrespectful".
One of the student's mothers, Angel Thompson, told the outlet: "I had asked [my daughter], ‘Are you okay? How was school?’
"She put our 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 that they got a punishment, and shows me her hands."
Images of the girls' hands - some wrapped in bandages and others covered in blisters - have outraged social media users. Other students reportedly became physically sick from the disciplining.
At least one of the girls was seen at the University Medical Center burn unit.
The punishment allegedly took place on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:00PM. Later that afternoon, one of the parents went to check the temperature of the track, and it was reportedly 125 degrees.
One of the students, who wished to remain anonymous, told EverythingLubbock.com: "We told [the coach] our hands are burning, and she said she didn’t care, and she made us go back down on the track."
Parents say the coach also threatened the girls with regard to their future as cheerleaders if they failed to complete what had been ordered of them.
Despite some of the girls visiting the school nurse, their parents say they were never contacted by the school.
One mother, who again wished to remain anonymous, described the punishment as "malicious" and "intentional".
In response to the allegations, officials from the Lubbock Independent School District (ISD) have confirmed that the coach has been placed on leave. The ISD's full statement can be read here: "Lubbock ISD administration is aware of an incident at Evans Middle School involving a teacher’s disciplinary method that resulted in several students receiving burns on their hands.
"The teacher directed a group of students to perform “bear crawls” on the outdoor track, which was heated by the day’s high temperatures. This action resulted in multiple students being injured.
"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.
"We want to express our deep concern and regret for the pain and distress this has caused the students and their families. No child should ever be subjected to harm in a learning environment, and we are fully committed to ensuring that incidents like this do not happen again.
"Lubbock ISD has policies in place regarding appropriate disciplinary actions, and any deviation from those standards is thoroughly reviewed. We want to assure our community that we are addressing this issue in accordance with district protocols and applicable laws. Our goal is to maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students."
The parents of the cheerleaders say that a police investigation is ongoing and they hope criminal charges are brought against the coach.
Social media users on X share the sentiment of the parents, calling for the coach to be "fired" and face charges.
