Puyallup teen wrestler claims school ignored her claim of sex assault by male opponent

(The Center Square) – The office of Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank and the Puyallup School District confirm they are conducting an investigation into an alleged sexual assault against a Puyallup high school wrestler.

The Rogers High School sophomore reported the alleged assault to school officials and her coach two days later, but the family contends administration failed to take meaningful action to protect and investigate her claim of sexual assault.

The alleged victim, 16-year-old Kallie Keeler says the incident happened during a Dec 6, 2025, match in which she was wrestling against a 190-pound male wrestler. She did not know he was a biological male at the time.

Video of the match taken by Keeler’s mom and featured in Brandi Kruse’s unDivided podcast, shows the teen’s face grimacing as the opponent’s hand is seen between her legs.

The alleged victim claims the opponent pressed up inside her with his fingers for several seconds, so she then gave up the match moments later.

- Advertisement -

According to Kruse, school officials did not report the incident to the Pierce County Sheriff’s office until Jan 30, 2026, nearly two months after it happened.

“This series of events suggests that a number of Rogers High School staff and employees knew about Kallie’s allegation of sexual assault and didn’t do anything with it,” Kruse wrote. “Under Washington State law, mandatory reporters are required to report allegations of sexual assault within 48 hours.”

Puyallup School spokeswoman Sarah Gillispie declined comment on the specifics in response to an inquiry from The Center Square.

“This matter is under investigation,” she wrote in the statement. “As such, we cannot share details or discuss specifics. What we can say is that student safety is a top priority and that all reports involving student safety are taken seriously.”

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank confirmed the investigation in a brief voicemail to the TCS Tuesday morning.

“We did take a report and it is in the hands of the prosecuting attorney’s office now for them to review for possible charges to be filed,” Swank said.

- Advertisement -

The Keeler family was unable to provide further comment for TCS on advice from their attorney.

Brian Heywood, founder of Let’s Go Washington, backing an initiative to protect girls sports and private spaces for females issued a statement in response to the incident.

“We’re grateful to the unDivided podcast for holding the Puyallup School District accountable and forcing the case to be moved to the Pierce County Sheriff’s office for investigation, the statement said. “How many young women have to be assaulted, violated, bullied, mocked, or even sued before the state takes action to protect them?”

Meantime, following a TCS exclusive interview with Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal last week about the initiative, OSPI has tentatively agreed to meet with two 16-year-old girls who became the face of the fight to protect girls sports in Washington.

The families of Ahnaleigh Wilson and Frances Staudt had previously requested to meet with Reykdal but received no response. Now, the Superintendent has indicated he will hear their stories.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Sports betting bill still alive in Georgia House

(The Center Square) – A bill that would allow...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Pax­ton: Men­tal health providers can’t ‘tran­si­tion’ kids

Those in the mental health field are not allowed...

Election 2026: Fake party candidacy an ultimate fail for ‘former’ Democrats

(The Center Square) – Voting results didn’t lie. Nobody...

La. bill would limit third-party litigation financing harm

A measure to rein in some of the drawbacks...

Lawmaker proposes property tax credits as housing debate continues

(The Center Square) – As state and local officials...

WATCH: California legislators introduce 13 wildfire bills

Editor's note: This story has been updated to add...

More like this
Related

On This Day: Garrett A. Morgan, Influential Black Inventor, Was Born

(AURN News) — On this day, March 4, 1877,...

WATCH: Cost for WA firearm background check fee could shoot up under bill

(The Center Square) – The cost of a firearm...

Pax­ton: Men­tal health providers can’t ‘tran­si­tion’ kids

Those in the mental health field are not allowed...

Election 2026: Fake party candidacy an ultimate fail for ‘former’ Democrats

(The Center Square) – Voting results didn’t lie. Nobody...