Peters cops end high school football investigation
Share with others:
Peters police Chief Harry Fruecht today announced that his department has ended its investigation of complaints about high school athletes being allowed to play sports with suspected concussions.
The police department was unable to substantiate the allegations and did not uncover any new information or leads that would warrant a continued investigation, the chief said.
"We're done with it," the chief said during a brief news conference at the township's council chambers.
The department launched its investigation Thursday after receiving a complaint from Washington County Children and Youth Services that "an alleged perpetrator is permitting children to play sports with concussions or concussion-like symptoms."
Chief Fruecht refused to describe the exact scope of the investigation and would not document everyone who was interviewed.
But he did reveal that six students and one parent came forward and that the department also spoke with the school district's athletic director and an athletic trainer employed by Mortland Physical Therapy, based in Peters.
The business's owner, Mark Mortland, a former trainer for the Penguins, has criticized Peters head football coach Rich Piccinini. Mr. Mortland claimed the coach undermined athletic trainers who were treating players with concussions, broken bones and other injuries.
Mr. Piccinini has denied the accusations.
District Superintendent Nina Zetty, who also appeared at the news conference, said the district did not find any evidence of injured student athletes being allowed to return to play without proper medical clearance.
First Published February 1, 2012 3:48 pm
