PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The Utah County Attorney's office has declined to charge a youth coach volunteer with a felony over a collision in which a 13-year-old boy was hurt during a game.
The Utah County Attorney's office told ABC 4 News that after screening the case, they decided that the mild concussion suffered by the boy did not warrant a felony charge.
Nate Harris was a Mapleton volunteer coach had been
arrested and booked on suspicion of second degree felony child abuse for his actions in a game on October 6 between Payson City Football League and Mapleton City Football League.
The score was tied in the last regular game of the season. Payson’s star half back has the ball and is running down Mapleton’s sideline when Harris allegedly stepped out onto the field and knocked down the 13-year-old player with his forearm.
Witnesses told ABC 4 that the 7th grader running back was running out of bounds when Harris reached out and hit the player, knocking him backwards to the ground.
The Payson Police Department reviewed the tapes and thought the hit was vicious and that Harris showed no concern for the player after the hit.
Harris was ejected from the game and later arrested.
On Monday, the Utah County Attorney said they were referring the case back to Mapleton and Payson. Harris may yet be cited for a misdemeanor.
Stay tuned to ABC 4 News and ABC4.com for more on this story.
