Upland High School baseball team faces hazing allegations according to family records

UPLAND, Calif. (KABC) — A family is filing a lawsuit after a video surfaced allegedly showing a hazing incident involving members of the Upland High School baseball team.

The graphic video was viewed by dozens of students at the school after being shared by members of the varsity baseball team.

The victim: a 15-year-old junior varsity player.

“In the video, he choked to the point where he couldn't breathe, and while he was on the ground, being photographed and mocked, they pretended to be sexually assaulted by a few other members of the university,” she said. declared the lawyer. » said Elan Zektser.

Zektser provided the video to Eyewitness News. He represents the teen's family, who filed a lawsuit against the school district and baseball coach.

“The district and the coaches knew what was going on at the school, which was that there was serious hazing, assault and sexual assault in the varsity locker rooms,” Zektser said.

A divide, Zektser said, was created by a culture that only allowed college players access to the locker rooms while younger players had to use the dugouts.

The incident occurred in February, but it was not until April that the victim's family learned of the video.

“I was obviously devastated. As a parent, you never want to hear that and find out the school already knew and didn't even tell me. It was heartbreaking,” the victim's mother said , Priscilla Villanueva.

In response to Eyewitness News, the Upland Unified School District released a statement that read in part:

“The district has launched an internal investigation into the alleged incident involving physical misconduct by players on the UHS varsity baseball team.”

Villanueva said she has since pulled her son out of school for fear of retaliation.

“My son loves baseball. He's been playing since he was 6 years old. It's his passion, it's his outlet. It's what he loves,” Villanueva told Eyewitness News.

“It was taken away from him overnight,” she added.

The school district said it could not comment on the victim's allegations due to privacy concerns. He also said he is committed to ensuring the safety of students.