Winter Park police respond to dispute over 3-year-old soccer player's removal from game
Body-camera footage shows Winter Park police were called to a youth soccer league after a league official reported a disturbance involving the parents of 3-year-old Nevada Pierre, who was removed from the field.
Winter Park police officers were dispatched to Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Saturday after a youth soccer league official reported a disturbance between parents and league staff. The official told officers that the parents of 3-year-old Nevada Pierre were "creating a big scene, arguing with the other parents" and requested that the family be asked to leave the park.
Body-camera video released by the department shows officers approaching the child's mother, Martasia Griffin, who said she was upset because she believed her son was being penalized for his skill level. Griffin told the officers, "I’m a little baffled because I signed my kid up for soccer, so they are literally kicking him out of this place because he’s good at soccer."
The officers informed Griffin that the league had asked the family to leave and that the matter was a civil dispute, not a criminal one. The department later issued a statement confirming that no arrests were made, no trespassing citations were issued, and the police had no authority over any refund the league might provide.
The league, i9 Sports, later confirmed it had issued a refund to the family and said it was reviewing the incident. A spokesperson said, "We are aware of concerns being shared regarding an incident at a local i9 Sports program, and we take them very seriously. The respectful treatment and well-being of every child and family matter deeply to us."
Following the incident, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover future soccer expenses, raising $35,000 within 24 hours. Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump commented on social media that punishing a child for excelling could send a harmful message to young athletes.
The Winter Park Police Department reiterated that the encounter was a civil matter between the parties involved and that officers had no role in league decisions regarding refunds or disciplinary actions.