Police said the sexual assaults happened after school dismissed Oct. 31, 2018 inside the boy's locker room. DAMASCUS, Md. — The principal of Damascus High School resigned from her position amid the investigation and prosecution into alleged rapes that happened in a boys locker room. Police said the sexual assaults happened after school dismissed Oct. 31, 2018 inside the boy's locker room and involved suspects and victims who are all Damascus High School students. The incident was connected to hazing with players on the junior varsity football team, according to Damascus High School superintendent. The team forfeited its game the day after. Casey Crouse, the school's principal, announced her resignation in a letter sent out on Tuesday afternoon. This decision has been extremely difficult for me and one that I did not take lightly," she wrote in the letter. "I have done my best to serve with strength, passion, professionalism and integrity." Crouse said the acting principal will begin May 13. Prosecutors said the suspects may have targeted at least one of their victims for bullying for the entire school year. Then on the last day of football practice, the sophomores allegedly invaded the freshman locker room, turned out the lights, tackled one young man after the other and either raped or attempted to rape each of them in the rectum with a broomstick.<doc-sep>Damascus High School's athletic director was put on administrative leave amid the ongoing investigation into last year's reported locker room attack involving members of the junior varsity football team. Damascus High School’s athletic director was put on administrative leave amid the ongoing investigation into last year’s reported locker room attack involving members of the junior varsity football team. This announcement follows news that the JV football coach was put on leave, which was confirmed Monday. Joe Doody won’t be allowed to work with students in the school system or fulfill his responsibilities as athletic director while on leave, according to a letter sent to the school’s coaches Tuesday night. “It is important to share that administrative leave is a non-punitive personnel action used to ensure investigations can proceed efficiently and without the appearance of prejudice,” the letter reads. Kathy Green will assume leadership while Doody is on leave, and she will be at Damascus starting Thursday. Earlier, a Montgomery County Public Schools spokesman confirmed Monday to WTOP that the school’s JV football coach, reportedly among the first staff members to have known about the alleged broomstick rapes, was placed on administrative leave. MCPS spokesman Derek Turner said that Vincent Colbert, 54, was placed on leave as part of the school system’s investigation, not as disciplinary action. The school system has not revealed a timeline for the investigation but said in Tuesday’s letter, “We anticipate this initial investigation into supervision on October 31 to conclude in the near future.” There is a petition against the decision to put the coach on leave, which the school system has seen but does not impact the outcome of the investigation, according to Turner. Four teen students were charged with multiple counts of rape, attempted rape and conspiracy to commit rape in the Oct. 31 attack inside a Damascus locker room. After initially being charged as adults, the teens were later ruled to be tried as juveniles. The incident, which has garnered national attention, prompted the school system to issue new guidelines for supervision of student-athletes before, during and after athletic events. It also prompted the recent resignation of Damascus High principal Casey Crouse, who said in a letter Tuesday that in order for the school to move forward, “it will require new school leadership.” WTOP’s Mike Murillo contributed to this report.<doc-sep>
The principal of Damascus High School in Maryland has announced her resignation effective immediately as a result of the alleged hazing and rape of members of the junior varsity football team at the school in October 2018. The principal of Damascus High School in Maryland has announced her resignation effective immediately as a result of the alleged hazing and rape of members of the junior varsity football team at the school in October 2018. Casey Crouse announced her resignation Tuesday in a letter to staff members, students and their families. “The horrific incident of October 31 has demanded significant attention from school and system leadership and has drawn ongoing negative media attention,” Crouse wrote. “Despite this attention, the focus inside the school during the school day has never wavered. However, it has become clear that in order for Damascus High School to move forward, it will require new school leadership. I have had several discussions with MCPS leadership in recent weeks and they support my decision,” Crouse added. Crouse has been principal of Damascus High since 2017. She announced that she will be taking another position in Montgomery County Public Schools, but did not specify what it would be. Kevin Yates, the current principal intern at Julius West Middle School, will take over as acting principal on May 13. Before Crouse announced her departure, it was confirmed Monday that Damascus High’s JV football coach was placed on leave as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged rapes. Then, later Tuesday night, a letter to coaches announced that Damascus High athletic director Joe Doody was also put on administrative leave. WTOP’s Teta Alim contributed to this report.