Multiple students at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis were hospitalized after enduring severe burns during a dance practice punishment on September 18, 2023. Parents are expressing outrage following reports that the students, particularly members of the majorette team, suffered second-degree burns and blisters after being forced to perform bear crawls on a track exposed to extreme heat.
Travis Peagler, father of 14-year-old student Trinity Peagler, described the distress he felt upon picking up his daughter after practice. “I was shocked to see her hands burned and blistered,” he stated. Trinity revealed that she was subjected to the punishment due to her grades, with temperatures soaring close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit that day.
Trinity’s mother, Stacey, voiced her concern regarding the safety of the practice conditions, questioning how the coaches could allow such activities under the extreme heat. She noted, “On an 86-degree day, it was outrageous to have them doing bear crawls on an asphalt track, where the surface temperature was likely over 100 degrees.”
Images shared by the family show significant blisters on Trinity’s hands. Peagler, a former soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, compared his daughter’s injuries to his own experiences, stating, “My hands have never looked the way her hands look.” Following the incident, Trinity was treated at Riley Hospital for Children for her burns and is also receiving care for heat exhaustion. Peagler added that doctors informed the family her injuries could take at least six months to heal, potentially leading to long-term effects.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the MSD of Warren Township released a statement acknowledging the injuries sustained during the conditioning drill and emphasized their commitment to student safety. “We are taking this matter very seriously, conducting an active investigation, and remain in close contact with students and families to support their recovery,” the spokesperson said.
Peagler articulated his belief in the importance of discipline but emphasized that this incident crossed a dangerous line. “No child should ever be put in this situation at a school activity. We want answers, accountability, and stronger safety measures so this never happens again,” he stated.
The aftermath has not only affected Trinity’s physical health but has also impacted her educational experience. Ronnisha Banks, another parent whose daughter also suffered burns during the same practice, shared her frustration. “She can’t do school work the way she needs to,” Banks lamented.
Parents are now advocating for increased awareness of safety protocols in schools to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Banks mentioned that she has contacted the Indiana Department of Child Services, while the Peagler family has sought legal counsel but has not yet filed formal documents.
The community continues to rally for change, with parents stressing that no other family should have to endure such pain and suffering. “When stuff happens like this, we have to stand up,” Banks asserted. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further developments are anticipated as the school district seeks to address the concerns raised by the affected families.