Allegations of sexual assault within the Santa Margarita Catholic High School football program have surfaced, involving at least nine players, according to a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court. The accusations include claims that a 15-year-old student was assaulted by his teammates in a locker room incident on September 24. As reported by The Los Angeles Times, the student and his parents have opted not to pursue criminal charges.

Following the event, which triggered an investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the boy reportedly suffers from severe psychological distress including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. A statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles from the boy's attorney Brian Williams expressed the devastating impact of the incident on the young athlete, noting that "He's been deeply impacted by this, and that's what makes this so tragic and heartbreaking."

Santa Margarita Catholic High School's response includes retaining a third-party firm to review the incident, on top of their own initial investigation. J. Andrew Sulick, the school's president, informed families that the school is taking a "responsible and proactive approach" as the investigation continues. According to KTLA, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department's inquiry allegedly "determined that the assault was not sexual in nature," and that there was "no evidence of sexual assault."