A St. Louis County family is taking legal action in the wake of their daughter's tragic suicide, which they claim was precipitated by sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of a youth softball umpire. The family's lawsuit accuses both the umpire and the Affton Athletic Association of being complicit in her death.
In February 2024, Holly James, a 17-year-old softball player, took her own life, leaving behind a note that attributed the irreversible decision to abuse she endured from umpire Zachary Barebo. As noted by STLToday, the lawsuit filed by her father, Jeffery James, claims that the Affton Athletic Association should have known about Barebo's history, given his prior arrest on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor.
Zachary Barebo was indicted by a grand jury in 2023 with 11 counts of second-degree rape and sodomy involving two minors. Both victims were associated with the softball community. According to a report by KSDK, Barebo later accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to first-degree harassment, landing him on probation, which he recently violated.
The James family, as reported by KSDK, are pressing charges against Barebo and the Affton Athletic Association, alleging wrongful death. They are seeking justice for the hiring and employment of Barebo despite his easily discoverable past. The family's attorney, Grant Boyd, stressed, "They're heartbroken on the fact that this was so avoidable," underscoring the depth of the family's anguish and determination to hold accountable those they believe are responsible.
The aftermath of the guilty plea has the James family gearing up to confront the Affton Athletic Association in court, with the aim to not only seek damages but also to drive a broader conversation about the due diligence required by organizations that serve minors. Boyd told KSDK, "It guaranteed that there was at least one ounce of justice and an ounce of punishment for Mr. Barebo, but we intend to finish the job that the state started with Mr. Barebo that applies to the James family."
