Indianapolis, IN — Parents of several girls on the majorette team at Warren Central High School are outraged after their children suffered serious injuries during a conditioning drill on September 18, 2025, when they were forced to perform bear crawls on a scorching hot track. Trinity Peagler, a 14-year-old student, was among those who were injured, with second-degree burns and blisters on her hands that require long-term treatment.
What Happened
The incident occurred during a majorette practice on the Warren Central High School track, where the girls were instructed to do bear crawls, a physical exercise, in nearly 90-degree weather. The intense heat of the asphalt surface caused severe burns to the students’ palms and fingers. Trinity Peagler was one of the victims, and when her father, Travis Peagler, picked her up from school, he was shocked to find her hands severely burned and blistered.
Trinity’s mother, Stacey Peagler, expressed her disbelief, saying, “I really just want to know what made you think that that was OK, on the 86-degree, whatever degree weather, day that it was OK to have them doing bear crawls on an asphalt track when it had to be at least over 100 degrees on the track.”
The Injuries
Trinity was taken to Riley Hospital for Children where doctors confirmed that she had sustained second-degree burns on her hands, and was also being treated for heat exhaustion. According to her father, the doctors informed them that the burns could take up to six months to fully heal and might have long-term effects. “Watching her go through this much pain has been heartbreaking for us as parents,” Travis Peagler said. Photos shared by the family show the extent of the blisters and burns on the affected areas of her hands.
Ronnisha Banks, another parent whose daughter also suffered similar injuries, said her daughter, a freshman on the majorette team, was also badly burned. Banks shared pictures with 13News showing second-degree burns on her daughter’s hands and blisters on her daughter’s feet, expressing her disbelief at the situation. “I was livid. I just couldn’t believe it,” she said.
School’s Response
The MSD of Warren Township released a statement acknowledging the incident. A spokesperson said, “We are aware of an incident during last week’s dance team practice involving a conditioning drill on the track that resulted in several students sustaining blisters to their hands from the surface.” The district assured the community that an active investigation was underway and that the school was in close contact with students and families to support their recovery.
The statement continued, “The safety and well-being of our student-athletes will always be our top priority, and we remain committed to listening to our students and families as we learn from this incident.”
Parents’ Concerns
Travis Peagler, a former soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, likened the experience to military training, but said he had never seen children pushed to this extreme. “I believe in discipline — I know it builds toughness and character — but this crossed the line from discipline into danger,” Peagler said. “No child should ever be put in this situation at a school activity. We want answers, accountability, and stronger safety measures so this never happens again.”
Ronnisha Banks echoed Peagler’s concerns, stressing the importance of standing up for the safety of children. “We don’t want to see no parent have to go through what we’re going through right now,” she said. Both families are determined to raise awareness about the incident and push for accountability from the school.
Legal Action and Investigation
The Peagler family has hired an attorney, though no formal documents have been filed at this time. Ronnisha Banks has reached out to the Indiana Department of Child Services, hoping for further action and oversight.
The case is still under investigation, and it remains unclear if any arrests or charges have been filed in connection with the incident. The families are continuing their efforts to ensure that this situation leads to meaningful changes in how physical activities are conducted at schools.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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