Kayla Barrett, 36, has been released from jail under orders to stay away from every school sporting event in Kentucky after she allegedly strangled a high school football player mid-game.
Barrett was arrested Tuesday by Kentucky State Police and booked into the Laurel County Detention Center on a charge of second-degree strangulation, according to the Monticello Police Department. She was later freed on the condition that she not attend any school sporting events in the commonwealth.
The attack unfolded during the third quarter of a matchup between Wayne County and the North Laurel High School Jaguars on Oct. 30 in Monticello. Spectators from both sides had stormed onto the field amid the chaos and had to be separated, according to the 13th Region Media Network. The Jaguars were ahead 21-12 with less than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter when the game was cut short.
Monticello Assistant Chief Joshua Smith told WYMT that Barrett ran toward the action as the field was overrun. “From what I understand she 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,” Smith said.
An arrest warrant cited by the Kentucky New Era stated that Barrett “violently shook him by the neck in an attempt to obstruct his airway.” The warrant noted that “the assault was witnessed by several individuals” and that “video footage obtained by the North Laurel football program showed Barrett in the vicinity of where the alleged strangulation occurred.”
The unidentified football player, who is a minor, struggled to breathe after the attack and was rushed to the hospital for evaluation.
The Monticello Police Department issued a strong statement condemning the violence. “High school athletics should be an environment where student-athletes can compete safely, without fear of violence or intimidation,” the department said.
“While emotions can run high during competitive sporting events, there is absolutely no justification for physical violence against players, coaches, officials, or spectators,” the department continued.
The game was ultimately ruled a win for the Jaguars. North Laurel Jaguars coach Steven Nelson expressed frustration at how the contest ended despite his team’s strong performance. “We have to do better on our end keeping emotions in check and playing the game the right way. Put it behind us and get ready for the playoffs. Go Jags,” Nelson said.
Nelson added that the team “played a good, physical game for about three quarters” but was “disappointed in the way it ended.”
The incident marks a disturbing breach of boundaries at a high school athletic event, with an adult spectator allegedly crossing onto the field to physically assault a student-athlete in the middle of live play. The presence of multiple witnesses and program video footage could prove central to the case against Barrett as it moves forward.