A Kentucky woman has been arrested and charged with second-degree strangulation after allegedly storming onto a high school football field and violently strangling a player during a game on Oct. 30. Kayla Barrett, 36, faces the charges following an incident during a game between Wayne County High School and North Laurel High School.
According to an arrest warrant cited by the Kentucky New Era, Barrett "violently shook him by the neck in an attempt to obstruct his airway." The Monticello Police Department stated that the assault was witnessed by several individuals, and video footage from the North Laurel football program appeared to show Barrett in the vicinity of the alleged attack.
The unidentified minor player who was assaulted reportedly had difficulty breathing after the incident and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Video footage also showed spectators from both sides entering the field and needing to be separated. The game was stopped and later ruled a win for the Jaguars.
Kentucky State Police apprehended Barrett on Tuesday. She was booked into the Laurel County Detention Center and subsequently released on the condition that she is prohibited from attending any school sporting events in the state.
Monticello Assistant Chief Joshua Smith told WYMT that Barrett "ran toward the action. And somewhere in that scuffle, she grabbed one of the Wayne County athletes by the back of the neck and began choking him and shaking him."
The police department issued a statement emphasizing that while emotions can run high during sports events, "there is absolutely no justification for physical violence against players, coaches, officials, or spectators." They added that high school athletics should be a safe environment for student-athletes.
North Laurel Jaguars coach Steven Nelson expressed disappointment in how the game concluded, stating, "We have to do better on our end keeping emotions in check and playing the game the right way."