BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The family and attorney of the student targeted in a hazing incident within Viera High School’s football team last month held a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the Fiske Boulevard Church of Christ in Rockledge.
One of the hazing victim’s parents were on hand with an attorney to speak about their frustration with the process.
“We’re here today because our son was hazed. He was sexually assaulted,” said Avanese Taylor, mother of one of the football players that was hazed. “He has been an afterthought in this whole process.”
Video of the hazing incident showed players in a locker room acting inappropriately toward an underclassman. Most of the incident was recorded by a team member and later put on social media, according to Brevard County deputies.
All junior and varsity football activities — as well as some students — were suspended as head coach Shane Staples was relieved of coaching duties, yet the team was allowed to return to practice by Aug. 23, two days after the sheriff’s office announced a criminal investigation was underway. This was due in part to “players and coaches taking part in an anti-hazing educational program” following the incident, according to a news release from Brevard Public Schools.
After the sheriff’s office got involved, investigators determined the hazing incident possibly occurred on Aug. 14, though school administration reported not hearing about it until Aug. 16.
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Harry E. Taylor, the father of one of the teens who were targeted in the incident, spoke about his frustration with the incident and ongoing investigation.
“It’s just difficult to process,” Taylor said. “I haven’t seen anything I’m hurting. We just want justice for our son.”
The parents said they are frustrated with the lack of communication from Viera High School, the school district and law enforcement officials.
“All of the focus was on getting this football team back out and running,” Avanese Taylor said.
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When asked if the the family or their attorney know if the investigation has concluded, attorney Anthony D. Thomas said they believe the investigation is ongoing.
“Certainly we’d like to see some conclusion and definitely a follow-up from our state’s attorney,” Thomas said.
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