Waconia High School wrestling coach under investigation for allegedly medicating student-athlete's rash
A coach from a southwest metro high school is under investigation after being accused of medicating a student-athlete.
The Carver County Sheriff's Office received a maltreatment report from the Minnesota Department of Education around 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, alleging "Waconia High School coaches or staff facilitated the administration of medications to student athlete(s) in order to treat an infection."
A search warrant affidavit obtained by the Star Tribune reveals a wrestling coach texted a wrestler on the team Jan. 2 asking him to come to his house after practice. Once there, the student was given pills by the coach's wife to treat a skin rash that had developed on his neck and behind his left ear.
Authorities identified the medication as one commonly used to treat herpes while noting the pills came from a bottle prescribed to the coach's wife.
On Jan. 7, the boy was taken to the doctor against the coach's advice and was diagnosed with a medical condition, then prescribed a different medication, the Star Tribune reports.
Bring Me The News does not typically name suspects in criminal investigations until formal charges have been filed.
Waconia Public Schools issued a statement to KSTP saying an independent investigator has been hired to look into the allegations.
The sheriff's office is conducting a criminal investigation into the matter.
Waconia's varsity wrestling team competed in the state tournament Feb. 28 through March 2 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, where it defeated Totino-Grace in the opening round before losing to eventual Class AA state champion Simley in the semifinals. Waconia finished fourth place overall in the tournament.
