Woman charged with strangling high school player during game

Kayla Barrett, 36, faces a felony charge for second-degree strangulation following an incident at a high school football game in Kentucky.

Monticello Police say Barrett assaulted a Wayne County High School player during an Oct. 30 matchup against North Laurel High School. The altercation began when a tackle that ended out of bounds turned into a scuffle among players. Barrett, a resident of Laurel County, was standing near the sideline when she entered the fray.

Monticello Assistant Chief Joshua Smith described the moment Barrett grabbed the athlete by the back of the neck. “From what I understand, she ran toward the action, and somewhere in that scuffle, she grabbed one of the Wayne County athletes by the back of the neck and began choking him and shaking him,” Smith said.

The player reported difficulty breathing after the attack. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and released. Police believe he will recover fully. Barrett drove away from the area shortly after the incident. Smith noted that an officer was able to identify her quickly.

Kentucky State Police arrested Barrett on Tuesday. She has since been released on bond. Smith expressed the department's desire to protect student-athletes in the future. “Hopefully, she’s not allowed back at a sporting event,” Smith said.