January 1, Trans Athlete Case Dodges Tough Questions Again

Wyatt’s Take

• West Virginia AG speaks out on harassment allegations.
• Attorney for trans athlete avoids questions at Supreme Court.
• Families and students raise serious concerns about school action.

West Virginia’s Attorney General John McCuskey called any child harassment unacceptable, stressing kids deserve protection, especially in school sports.

ACLU lawyer Joshua Block refused to answer reporters’ questions about allegations against his trans athlete client after court arguments, instead choosing to walk away while aids surrounded him.

The athlete, accused by fellow students like Adaleia Cross and Emmy Salerno of intimidation and harassment, faces pushback from families who claim the school district failed to properly handle their reports.

“Any time you think of a child being harassed, it gives you pause as a parent… harassment of any child of any kind in this country is inappropriate. And it’s wrong… we all need to stand up to ensure that children aren’t being harassed in any of their venues, particularly athletics,” McCuskey stated.

Allegations from Adaleia Cross say the trans athlete made disturbing threats in middle school locker rooms. The ACLU strongly denied all accusations, saying, “Our client and her mother deny these allegations and the school district investigated… and found them to be unsubstantiated.”

The Cross family’s attorneys countered, “Our client has sworn under oath and under penalty of perjury… [she] had to step away from the sport she loved entirely and sacrifice a key element of her school experience to protect herself.”

The athlete also denied wrongdoing, saying, “I was not raised like that.” School officials said their investigation could not confirm the events. But the Cross family reports they never got any follow-up or outcome from the school about their complaint.

Emmy Salerno, a former teammate, claimed the trans athlete tried to intimidate her and others after they refused to compete. She shared, “After we stepped out, it was an immediate personality change. He didn’t want to talk to me. He just wanted to stare at me, and just stare down.” Salerno also recounted being followed at a basketball game and receiving unsettling social media messages.

Despite repeated requests, neither the ACLU nor the school district provided documentation or more answers about their investigation.

Stay tuned for more facts and straight-shooting updates on how these issues impact your school, your kids, and your community.

Wyatt Matters

Every child deserves safety and fair treatment in schools, no matter the situation. Folks here know what’s at stake when schools and leaders dodge accountability—it’s our daughters, sons, and sense of right and wrong on the line.

Read the full story here