Football coach charged after kicking middle school player

Screen shot from Ni River Middle School website

UPDATE: Football coach, dad arrested after football practice marred by violence

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – A middle school football coach and the father of a football player have been charged in connection to an incident that occurred during and after a recent football practice.

Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office Captain Mike Harvey said Ni River Middle School volunteer coach Joseph Bernard Hart, 21, was charged with felony cruelty and injuries to children. Harvey said during an Oct. 16 football practice, Hart kicked a 12-year-old player, knocking him to the ground.

When the student’s father arrived to pick up his child, the father punched the coach, Harvey said. Maurice Smith, 43, was charged with assault and battery.

The 12-year-old player was taken to the hospital by his parents where doctors determined he had a “deep contusion” to his chest, Harvey said.

Investigators believe the child was kicked while he was standing up at practice.