In a shocking incident that has garnered widespread attention, a video has emerged showing a high school cheerleading coach and several staff members under investigation after a 14-year-old cheerleader, Emma Johnson, was forcibly held in a split position while crying for the ordeal to stop. The footage, aired by a local NBC affiliate, reveals the distressing situation in which Emma, an incoming freshman at Denver’s East High School, was repeatedly pushed into a split against her will.
The Denver Police Department has launched an investigation into the matter after receiving reports of the incident. Principal Mark Thompson, Assistant Principal Sarah Lee, Cheer Coach Jake Harris, and Assistant Coach Laura Green were all placed on administrative leave as a result. The video depicts Coach Harris, who had just begun his tenure, applying excessive pressure on Emma’s shoulders, despite her vocal pleas for him to cease. This method was reportedly used on several other cheerleaders, but this particular footage is the only one made public.
Captured on a cell phone by two cheer team members, the video was sent anonymously to the news station. East High’s administration had been aware of at least one of the recordings since June. Emma stated, “He was pushing down on the back of my right leg while I was screaming in pain. It felt like my ligaments and muscles were tearing.” Emma’s mother, Linda Johnson, expressed her outrage, stating, “This is a grown man forcing my 14-year-old daughter into a split while she begs him to stop.”
In a June 15 email to the school, Linda shared additional footage of similar forced splits that Emma and her teammates were subjected to during cheer camp and practices, except in cases backed by a doctor’s note. She inquired about the administration’s plan to address her daughter’s injury and the circumstances surrounding it.
In a statement released on August 23, the police confirmed that child abuse detectives were actively investigating the case, emphasizing that it remains open. Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Richards also condemned the actions depicted in the video, stating, “As the superintendent and a father, I find these images deeply troubling and entirely inconsistent with our values as a community.” He further noted that putting the involved staff on leave is standard protocol and does not imply any conclusion about their actions.
Parents have reportedly voiced concerns to the school about these practices throughout the summer, and the news station is currently seeking records related to those complaints. Regardless of whether forcing splits is a common training method, the footage raises serious questions, particularly given Emma’s repeated cries for help during the incident. The thought of our children being coerced into physical actions against their will is truly upsetting.
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In summary, this incident highlights the need for better oversight in cheerleading practices and the importance of listening to young athletes’ concerns. The investigation continues, and the implications for the individuals involved remain to be seen.