Report: Family files $7M notice of claim in Hamilton hazing case
Jul 26, 2017, 3:30 PM | Updated: Jul 27, 2017, 11:07 am
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — A family of a victim in the Hamilton High School football hazing case has reportedly filed a $7 million notice of claim.
The notice of claim against the Chandler Unified School District is the first step in filing a lawsuit.
The notice was first reported by 12 News.
Earlier this week, the Chandler Police Department recommended head football coach Steve Belles and principal Ken James be charged with child abuse and failure to report abuse.
“As in any criminal case, we will continue to partner with law enforcement to assess the reasonable likelihood of conviction in a charging decision,” Maricopa County Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Amanda Jacinto said in an email.
Belles was placed on paid leave during the investigation.
Several Hamilton players were under investigation after hazing allegations surfaced in late March. Six players were arrested but only three were charged by police.
One 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault. Two 16-year-olds were charged as juveniles with kidnapping, aggravated assault and assault.
Jacinto had previously said prosecutors asked the court to consider charging the 16-year-olds as adults.
The crimes were allegedly committed between September 2015 and January 2017 on school grounds, but police said they first learned of them in February.
Jacinto said anyone with information on the case or who was hazed should contact the Chandler Police Department.
