From Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement
Prosecutors in Pierce County are weighing a rape charge against a
transgender girl accused of sexually assaulting a female competitor
during a high school wrestling match last December in Puyallup.
The alleged incident happened during a match on December 6 and was
captured on video. The girl reported the alleged assault to school
officials on December 8, but it wasnAt reported to the school resource
officer until January 30.
Video evidence inconclusive
The only real evidence is the video shot by the girlAs mother, and
Pierce County SheriffAs Office Deputy Carly Cappetto said what the video actually shows is inconclusive.
oWhatAs being alleged isnAt visibly seen by the eye. However, that
doesnAt mean that an incident hasnAt happened. ItAs just not visible by
the evidence,o Cappetto explained.
Whether there was a crime or not, school officials are mandatory
reporters, which means they must report all allegations to police within
48 hours. The school resource officer wasnAt told about the incident for
nearly two months.
oThe family did express frustration that their voices werenAt being
heard and that they didnAt feel their case was being taken seriously,o
Cappetto said.
Puyallup State Representative Cyndy Jacobsen said the delayed reporting
raises concerns.
oSchool personnel are mandatory reporters, and we think just for the
publicAs comfort, at least, this should be looked into very carefully,o Jacobsen said. oThis incident happened back in December, and when it
began being reported, it was right when Brandi Kruse came out with her
story. So, that is troublesome.o
State lawmakers call for accountability
House Republicans in Olympia released a statement Wednesday and spoke by
phone to KIRO Newsradio.
oChildren must be protected from harm, and any allegation that a child
has been victimized must be treated with the utmost seriousness and
care,o House Republicans said in a statement. oIn light of these
allegations, the school district must be completely open and accountable
for anything that occurred and hold accountable anyone who intentionally
failed to act or who covered up any allegations.o
The Puyallup School District released a statement to KIRO Newsradio
Wednesday.
oThis matter is under investigation. As such, we cannot share details or discuss specifics,o the statement said. oWhat we can say is that student
safety is a top priority and that all reports involving student safety
are taken seriously.o
Pierce County prosecutors will now decide if there is enough evidence to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. There is no timeline for when
a charging decision will be made.
https://mynorthwest.com/local/pierce-county-trans-wrestler/4201923
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