Summary (tl;dr)

A lawsuit has been filed against Texas Leadership Charter Academy (TLCA) in San Angelo by twelve families, alleging that a coach's excessive physical punishment of student-athletes led to over 20 hospitalizations with severe injuries, including kidney damage, and that the school attempted to cover up the incident.

Essential Background

In February 2025 or 2026, student-athletes at Texas Leadership Charter Academy (TLCA) in San Angelo were reportedly subjected to prolonged physical punishment by coaches. This disciplinary action, allegedly in response to a jersey mix-up, involved forcing dozens of students to perform continuous push-ups for over an hour without breaks or water, reportedly occurring over three consecutive days.

The Full Story

Twelve families have recently filed a lawsuit against Texas Leadership Charter Academy, its leadership, and several employees, claiming that the severe physical punishment inflicted on approximately 50 to 80 student-athletes resulted in at least 20 students being hospitalized. The lawsuit alleges that many of these students suffered serious conditions such as rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure, and some may have sustained permanent kidney damage. The plaintiffs further contend that the school engaged in a "cover-up mode" by reassigning coaches, introducing liability waivers in enrollment forms after the incident, and instructing employees to delete incriminating emails. The lawsuit, filed in Dallas County, Texas, seeks over $500,000 in damages per student and punitive damages, accusing the school of negligence, gross negligence, and systemic child abuse. TLCA has stated it is aware of the lawsuit and is cooperating with law enforcement while disputing the cover-up allegations.

Why It Matters

This lawsuit highlights critical concerns regarding student safety, appropriate disciplinary actions in schools, and institutional accountability. The severe injuries sustained by students, including potentially life-threatening conditions like rhabdomyolysis, raise serious questions about the supervision and practices within the athletic program at TLCA. Furthermore, allegations of a deliberate cover-up by school administration underscore a potential breach of trust and responsibility towards students and their families, prompting public interest and scrutiny into how schools handle incidents of alleged abuse and ensure transparency. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how schools implement disciplinary policies and report incidents of alleged misconduct in the future.

Geographic Location

• San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas, United States (location of Texas Leadership Charter Academy where alleged abuse occurred)
• Dallas County, Texas, United States (location where the lawsuit was filed in the 193rd Judicial District Court)
• Waco, McLennan County, Texas, United States (headquarters of the law firm Cherry Johnson Siegmund James representing the plaintiffs)