Basketball coach and her dad arrested for attacking rival’s wife and daughter, 3, in post-game meltdown
A second-grade basketball game descended into chaos after an assistant coach and her father were arrested following a fight that allegedly broke out.
According to reports, the incident took place on February 1st at Holy Child School in Rosemont, Pennsylvania and left three people injured – including the opposing team’s coach’s three-year-old daughter.
Authorities have since confirmed that Brittany Ortiz, 38, and her father, William Stanley, are now facing multiple charges following the shocking incident.
Witnesses claimed that they saw both Ortiz and Stanley arguing with a rival coach and his wife after the game, before the former allegedly grabbed the coach’s wife’s hair and slammed her to the ground.
Officials claim that the opposing team’s coach attempted to defuse the scuffle before being assaulted by Stanley – who struck him in the head and attempted to kick him.
The rival coach had been carrying his three-year-old daughter at the time who, according to NBC, was left hysterical and suffered light bruising on her left leg.
Brittany Ortiz, 38, and her father, William Stanley were arrested following a fight that allegedly broke out at a second-grade basketball game on February 1st
Lt. Michael Keenan of the Lower Merion Police Department said: ‘Unfortunately, this took place in the hallway of the gym immediately following the game, after some verbal sparring on the court during the game.
‘It’s incumbent on coaches and adults alike at any children’s sporting event to act like the adults in the room, because we are. We’re there to foster a safe learning and playing environment for the kids.
‘People get heated, it’s understandable. We like to compete. But when your little kids are involved, and you are their stewards, you have to act like it,’ he added.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Lower Merion Police Department for comment.
Though the incident took place at Holy Child School in Rosemont, a spokesperson later confirmed that the gym was rented by the Malvern League and that the school has no affiliation with the two teams involved.
The statement read: ‘Holy Child School at Rosemont rents facilities to the Malvern Basketball League, whose teams are not affiliated with the school. No Holy Child families were involved in the incident.’
In the wake of the incident, Ortiz was arrested and charged with assault on a sports official, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Her bail was set to $10,000 and her preliminary hearing is set for March 5th. Her father, meanwhile, later turned himself in after officials issued a warrant for his arrest, according to NBC.
Though the incident took place at the Holy Child School in Rosemont, a spokesperson later confirmed that the gym was rented by the Malvern League and that the school has no affiliation with the two teams involved (Pictured: Stock image of a youth basketball game)
Ortiz’s attorney later told the outlet that he will ‘vigorously defend’ his client, while Stanley’s attorney – Nathan J. Schadler – provided a statement to NBC10.
Schadler said: ‘My client was taken to the hospital with broken bones and injury to the head. We will be doing our own investigation and speaking to people who were there.
‘My client asserts his innocence, and it was my client’s family who called 911 and asked the police to show up in this matter.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Schadler for comment.
