HINTON, Iowa (KCAU) — The Hinton Community School District (CSD) and several officials are being sued by two students through their families over allegations of abuse within the junior varsity wrestling program. KCAU reports the two lawsuits were filed in Plymouth County and are directed at Hinton CSD, former wrestling head coach Casey Crawford, wrestling assistant coach Bradley “Woody” Skuodas, Hinton superintendent Ken Slater, and former Hinton athletic director Brian DeJong. All four were employed by Hinton CSD at the time of the incidents detailed in the lawsuits.

The lawsuits accuse Crawford, Skuodas and DeJong of “encouraging” bullying, hazing and violence by the students on the team. They also accuse Hinton CSD of failing to address the behavior despite reportedly being aware of it. At the center of the lawsuits is a series of incidents that allegedly occurred during two wrestling trips, and involved the use of sex toys. Afterward, the alleged victimized students were sexually exploited when photos and videos of the incidents were shared to the team’s Snapchat group chat, according to the lawsuits. The trip allegedly had no supervision, room checks or bag checks.

Coaches became aware of the usage of these items and allegedly took them away. But the incidents allegedly happened again at another wrestling site city.  Again, the coaches were apparently aware of what was going on, but they did not tell the victims’ parents. The parents of the victims found a video showing the incidents on a child’s phone. They then showed it to other parents and an assistant coach. According to the lawsuits, the coach “told parents that he would initiate the reporting process, but simultaneously commented that this could negatively affect the wrestling program.”

The lawsuits accuse Hinton CSD of not being communicative enough with the parents of the victims of the alleged abuse. Additionally, the lawsuits accused the wrestling practices as being a “breeding ground for harassment and bullying.” Coaches allegedly “allowed, encouraged and led” games that resulted in injuries to students. The lawsuits accuses all defendants of one count of negligence against all defendants, one count of negligent training and supervision of employees against Hinton CSD, and two counts of loss of consortium against all defendants.

The lawsuits demand a jury trial and for a judgment “in an amount to be determined at trial, together with interest, all costs incurred herein, and for all such other relief that is just and equitable under the premises” on all counts.

On Feb. 14, 2024, two wrestling coaches were placed on paid administrative leave. One of them was still on leave, while the other had gone back to work. Two students were “reassigned” soon after. On March 18, the head wrestling coach formally resigned from his position as wrestling head coach, though he also said in his resignation letter that he hoped to continue teaching math at Hinton.

School board members have since discussed possible school trip policy changes, such as bags checks, printed itineraries, and contact information.