Mannington Middle School football coach suspended, charged with battery
Allegedly suspended for striking a player on an opposing team.
FARMINGTON, W.Va (WDTV) - STORY UPDATE
A football coach at Mannington Middle School has been charged with two counts of battery after he allegedly struck a student on an opposing team.
38-year-old Vladimir Jean-Phileppe, of Mannington, has been charged in connection to an altercation that happened last month during a middle school football game, according to a criminal complaint.
Court documents say the altercation happened on Oct. 12 at North Marion High School when Jean-Phileppe made “forceful physical contact” by striking a middle school player’s head during the lineup at the end of the football game while players and coaches were shaking hands.
Authorities say they reviewed a video of the altercation in which Jean-Phileppe made contact with the child, “moving him out of line.”
The Marion County Board of Education then voted unanimously to indefinitely suspend Jean-Phileppe.
Superintendent Donna Heston confirmed the suspension with 5 News on Thursday, adding that Jean-Phileppe is a member of the coaching staff and not the head coach of the team.
Jean-Phileppe has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Marion County Board of Education has suspended Vladimir Jean-Phileppe, a football coach at Mannington Middle School for allegedly striking a student on an opposing team.
Details about the incident were not made public during the meeting. No mention was made to the date when the incident occurred. The Board discussed Jean-Phileppe’s name during the meeting, but only called for a vote on his suspension (vote occurs at 56:41 during meeting, linked here). The vote passed unanimously.
School Superintendent Donna Heston confirmed these details with WDTV today, and noted that Jean-Phileppe is a member of the coaching staff, not the head coach of the team. She confirmed that the suspension is indefinite, and declined further comment on the matter at this time.
This is a developing story - stick with 5 News for updates.
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