EspañolRiverside County Football Coach Eibylardo Funes Charged With Punching, Knocking Out 14-Year-Old Harlem Edwards At Vista Murrieta High School
MURRIETA, CALIFORNIA (September 27, 2023) – A 50-year-old football coach identified as Eibylardo Funes has been arrested for allegedly punching a 14-year-old boy at Vista Murrieta High School.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the incident took place around 5:40 p.m. on September 23. Police officers received multiple calls about a confrontation at a recreational youth tackle football game.
There was some type of altercation between the two teams identified as the Perris Panthers and the Murrieta Broncos. Neenah Kaowili is the mother of Harlem Edwards.
She says that her son was punched in the face by Eibylardo Funes and knocked unconscious for two minutes. She also said that her son suffered a seizure after he became conscious once more.
Harlem Edwards was transported to the ER after the altercation and was treated for physical and mental injuries. Police arrested Eibylardo Funes for child abuse with possible great bodily injury and battery.
A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Assaults During School Sports
Sports in high school are supposed to impart life-long skills and values on students. But far too often, the competitive nature of high school sports can bring out the absolute worst in people. According to High School FN, “A national survey showed 46% of officials “have felt unsafe or feared for their safety due to spectator, coach, administrator or player behavior.” It’s easy to see why so many feel this way when you take a look at the current state of affairs in high school sports.” There are a number of steps that schools can take to prevent violence at sporting events.
- Schools should do their best to promote a culture of sportsmanship and respect among students.
- Schools should clearly explain behavioral expectations for students.
- Schools may need to hire security guards or implement other security measures.
Schools have a legal obligation to protect students from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting students from violence perpetrated by students, faculty and third parties. Consider, for example, Taylor v. Oakland Scavenger Co., 17 Cal. 2d 594 [110 P.2d 1044], “It is the duty of the school authorities to supervise at all times the conduct of the children on the school grounds and to enforce those rules and regulations necessary to their protection.” If a school knew (or should have known) that a teacher posed a risk of harm to students and failed to act, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Many measures should be taken after any assault involving a school official.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A police report should be created.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- School records for the school official should be reviewed.
- An experienced personal injury attorney should be contacted.
Victims of assaults tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries. Even a moderate traumatic brain injury can impair a person’s cognitive function for a lifetime. This is why it is so important that assault victims get proper medical treatment and follow up care. The family of any student that is injured in a school fight may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Riverside County Student Assaults
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to Harlem Edwards and his family as he continues to recover. What happened is completely unacceptable and the person responsible needs to be held accountable. Any person that may have more information about this incident should reach out to Riverside County police officials.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured by a Riverside County school official? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that abuse victims are aware of their rights and that schools are held accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
