BRUNSWICK COUNTY -- A Brunswick County coach married his teenage student. Now the parents of the girl have filed a lawsuit.
The Hagers filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Brunswick County against the Brunswick County School Board.
It's an eight-page document asking for punitive damages due to negligent supervision by the school board.
This case all stems from the relationship between 40-year-old Brent Wuchae -- a track coach at South Brunswick High School -- and 16-year-old Windy Hager, one of the girls on his team.
Windy's parents have said coach Wuchae began pursuing their daughter two years ago. And last month coach Wuchae resigned from Brunswick County schools and married their daughter.
The parents said they repeatedly went to the principal and the school board, asking them to try and stop the relationship.
But the Hagers say the school board didn't do enough to protect their daughter.
The school board recently made Brent Wuchae's confidential personnel file public to defend the integrity of the school system and try to prove they did make every effort to stop the relationship.
Superintendent Katie McGee and one of the school board members have issued a statement.
Society's Problem
Here is what I see as the problem in society these days... Parents do not take responsibility for their children's actions anymore. Are you or are you not the adult and parent in this situation? Are you so afraid of public criticism in disciplining your children that you will let them do whatever they want? Where were you when she was allowed to go somewhere with this man? What is your responsibility in her cell phone use? I will be the first to say that I will not allow the public to pressure me into feeling that I have no rights in disciplining my child. I am well aware of the difference between child abuse and discipline. So unless someone can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, I will discipline my child and teach them right from wrong. This girls parents need to suck it up and take the blame. It is not the responsibility of the school board to make sure your daughter has not involved herself, willingly, in an intimate relationship with a man well over her age. I hope you are on the losing end of a lawsuit and are granted no money for this situation. Unless of course, the school board held a gun to your head, in order for you to sign the consent for her to marry this man? I THINK NOT!! Another one of societies problems emerges, people are to quick to sue for stupid things that are their own faults. Imagine that lawsuit won for getting burned by hot coffee from McDonald's? Did they expect that coffee would be cold???
Why? Why? Why?
This is so screwed up. So, back about 2 years ago the parents became suspicious? They contacted the school board? The school board confronted Wuchae? Did the parents have enough gonads to confront Wuchae? If this didn't work, why didn't the school board do more? Why didn't the parents do more? Why didn't they make her stop running track? Why didn't they stop her from going to out of town track meets with him? Why didn't they take her out of his class? Why didn't they change schools? Why didn't they kick his butt? If they couldn't succeed in kicking his butt, why didn't they take out a restraining order against him? Why didn't they take her cell phone away from her? Why were they so weak they let her run all over them as they did? She wasn't the adult here. She should not have been the head of the house hold. She had no authority. She wasn't the parent. She is the child, and now because the PARENTS signed the form, she is now a married child. Yes, the school board could have restricted her from being in contact with him, and so could the parents. Who knows what really happened? One thing is for sure. Here in NC a wife can't be forced to testify against her husband, so you parents might as well give up. You forfeited your rights when you signed the paper allowing her to marry this creep.
I also wonder if the parents have spoken to her since the marriage. Have you even tried? If so, how did she react? Is she still ignoring you? If so, why? You gave her exactly what she wanted, you let her get married. I also wonder if she did this as a way to get away from the parents. Some kids will do anything to get away from their parents.
We may never know the details of this situation.
I think I will sue the school board because my son had 3 core classes this past year, and only one book. He had Algebra and History and had no book for either class. These classes are state mandated to have End of Class Testing, and the school couldn't supply the students with school books because the allotted money was spent elsewhere. Yes, our school board and school system in Brunswick County SUCKS, except in sports, where money for supplies and equipment is not a problem.
What happened to promoting and excelling in academics?
Married teen
I think the parents are more to blame than anyone else. My husband and are the parents of six, four of whom are girls and we would do anything including moving our child to another school or bringing criminal charges against the teacher if we were in this situation. We would have NEVER signed for her to marry the guy.
married teen
All parents wish they could sue the school board when our kids do what we disapprove and won't listen. Then our job would not be so hard because we can put it on someone else.
what's wrong with love?
Everyone is so carried away. These two people love each other; Who are you to say it is wrong? Some states legalize marriage at 14, some at 18, some in between? Are legislators God? You act like it is wrong. Congressman aren't God, so get over it. Stop being afraid. She could have gotten pregnant like the other 750,000 girls who get pregnant in high school every year. This man gave her a diamond ring instead of a condom. You parents who would rather have your daughter sleep around then marry? This girl probably would have had sex in high school and then went to college and had sex, just like about 50% of all girls do, just look at the statistics this guy saved her butt so get over it and open your eyes and repent of your self-rightousness. Who are you to say it is wrong? you should go and worship the congressmen who arbitrarily make these laws, because these congressmen have interns they have sex with; what does age got to do with it? she's a smart girl, she can handle it. Get over it.
Parents of married teen suing school board
I think these parents should take a long hard look in the mirror and quit passing the blame to the school board. Let's face it,they failed in their job as parents.
Parents of 16 year old
I can't believe you signed for her to marry. The claim is they talked on your cell phone at all hours of the night and on the computer. Ever heard of taking these items away. Take the door off the hinges to her room, cut up her driver's license, take the car keys...these are privileges, not things a teenager has to have or like someone else stated.....move. Sometimes in order to perserve our families you have to take drastic measures. Even my child, a good foot taller than me listens and I have done all of the above. My child learned real fast who was the parent. At 18 years of age you could have let her go into the real world and suffer the consequences. Will you sue again when she is pregnant in a few months? Children know how to take our hearts out and stomp on them but we as parents must know how to stop behavior that is unacceptable. The coach should be punished but your daughter should have had you to protect her from her stupidity....All teenagers think they know it all but guess what? They don't. Where were you....Where was she? Just another kid lost in the world of parents who want more money than spending time with their children and protecting them. Windy, you may not think you will regret this but you will. Someday he will be looking for another 16 year old......and you will be left out in the cold. God watch over you!
AMEN---I am a mother of an
AMEN---I am a mother of an 11yr daughter. i have talked to her about boys and that she is not going to date until she is finished her schooling. And any parent who does not spend time with their children should take a long hard look at themselves.
Your child can not date
Your child can not date untill her schooling is finished so that is either 18 or 22 .. both are high unrealistic >_>
I didn't realize that it is
I didn't realize that it is no longer a parent's responsibility to raise their kids and be a parent.
Oh wait - yeah I did. Why should parents do it when they can sue someone else for NOT doing it?
Parents Problem
I guess their deal with Jerry Springer didn't come through. Darn... What the heck, the parents are wanting to sue, the board.. They(the parents) are the knuckleheads that signed the paper for her to get married. There is know way I would have signed the paper.. The parents and Wuchea are probley in some type of movie deal.. I wonder who the actors would be?? I tell you someone should knock his teeth out, make his nose be on the side of his head, then spit in his face. Through him in prison...
I know the Brunswick County
I know the Brunswick County School Board has a lot to be desired, but these people signed for their daughter to marry. It would seem that it is a lot more the responsibility of the parents to regulate the actions of their children than the school. Seems to me like the girl was the one in charge of the family and did as she pleased. Very poor parenting skills on the part of Mom & Dad.
Not sure
did they sign for her to marry? She is very close to South Carolina, they may have drove there to do it.
Coach Wuchae
Windy's parents have no one to blame but themselves. They would not have "suffered" if the had not brought the media into this. No one would have known that all of this happened in rural america and therefore their personal names and information would not have gone world wide. Let Brent and Windy live their life and the parents need to admit that it is over and maybe they will do a better job with their son during his teenage years.
they shouldnt have let her marry then in the first place
they shouldnt have signed the papers to legalize it in the first palce. the girl is nasty to marry him in the first place
The Hagers
How can they sue someone for what they approved legally. Duh!!!!! I would never have signed the consent form to start with. They keep saying that they signed it reluctantly. Is she pregnant? If she isn't then why would they have signed the consent form to begin with
Since when do the schools tell kids who to have sex with?
Yes, the coach should be ashamed, and should no longer have a job, but this girl wanted him, and went to any length to get him. Everybody needs just let her lie in the bed she made and see how long the old man lasts.
why can't people just let
why can't people just let the couple be happy?
Married teen
The parents of this married teen should not sue the Brunswick County School system. Parents do not do everything perfectly I know, but to blame a school system for a hard head daughter is wrong. They ought to sue the man who married their daughter and caused the distress on the family. It is sick how in our society today these men and women are going into the school system and preying on the young children.
Come on now
Ok, The mother and father signed the papers for her to get married, under the age of 18 right? So now they are planing to sue. How stupid can you get, you did it to your self, atleast if you didnt sign the papers you could still say it was wrong, but they did, and they are saying it is ok that they get married! They just want more public attention, and 'feel so sorry for me' attention. I guess putting Brunswick county on Good Morning America, and on CNN and aol.com news wasnt enough huh? I guess they want to keep giving Brunswick county a bad name.
A clear case
This is a clear case of CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE. Parents signed the papers to allow her to marry the perv, so what can they say now?
Hagers needed to close the barn door BEFORE the cow was out, duh.
Just Thinking...
It is funny that the parents didn't have all of this parental control before their daughter wanted to shack up with a older man. I feel no sympathy for parents whom raise their daughter with a set of Dr. Spock books in hand and not punish him/her.
School Board CoverUp
The school board has serious problems and there have been too many of these cases in the last year.
Their inaction has allowed a child to be seriously hurt. The school board and the Ostrich McGee need a wake up call that their actions will not be tolerated.
ok so you are telling me
ok so you are telling me that the school board did this to this family what kind of drugs are you on because every one on that school board has kids and i can tell you they would not sign there kids to a sick person like him and as of too many cases like this,this is the first case every like this in brunswick county
someone wants a new double wide!
The school will settle and the Hagars will have a down payment for that double wide they always wanted
If the father had any gonads, a few swings from a Louisville Slugger into that perverts knees would have prevented this.whole situation. I have no sympathy for the school either, they waited months to do anything about the parents' complaints. That coach should have been kicked out on his azz 6 months ago.
Doublewide
That's right, Sparky! Maybe the Hagers can get a Doublewide outta this. If they're REAL convincing, maybe somebody will donate 'em a coupla old rusted cars, a coupla hound dogs chained to barrells, and some salvaged washers to decorate their front "yard" with. You made a good point: Hey Bubba,you must hang about about as low as the mercury on my thermometer today. I can see you now, with your knuckles dragging the ground.. These people are so unreal, ya GOTTA laugh about it!
The end result does not
The end result does not change the fact that the school officials had this relationship brought to their attention, and did nothing. It was within their power to act more aggressively on this matter, and it would seem they did not. This suit can serve the purpose of sorting out how these situations are dealt with in the future by the school officials, which is clearly something that is sorely needed.
Perfect Case!
Yes! This is a perfect case for the party suing another in a lawsuit should hold and pay all fees, bills and costs to the party being sued if the case is proven to be a frivolous (a.k.a. stupid!) lawsuit.
Then child protective services should have at the parents for the behavior they have appartently condoned. Hope there isn't any other younger children in the home. Too late to do much about Windy but these people are unREAL!
If they are this dumb can the state or county revoke their voting in elections? Should they be behind the wheel of a car? Neither parent would be working for me that's for sure...
Teen Marries Coach
Chad, I agree. I am sure others do as well!
I can only hope the courts will view this law suit as extremely stupid and throw it out.
The parents had a responsibility to see their child was not being raped, etc. There are laws in place to protect underaged children. Why these people did not do have a protective order in place is beyond me!
Another scenario..they are just looking for money. Maybe this is a plan, with the Coach, to milk the county for as much as they can. Truth sometimes is stranger than fiction..who really knows? Juts hope the taxpayers are not subject to this one!
You cannot GET a "protective
You cannot GET a "protective order" when the child is this age. I went through a similar situation and after multiple tearful visits to the magistrates office, department of social services and various police depts (I went to every police department in every county this man took my 14 year old child after picking her up from school without my knowledge) and was told that the ONLY person who can ask for the order is the person who is being "bothered" which is this case was my 14 year old who would not agree to do it. I was told I could not do anything until I had evidence that something had happened and they had enough to arrest him. I was fortunate enough that the idiot who wouldn't leave my daughter alone still lived with his parents and to have a lawyer friend who wrote a letter that threatened to personally sue the parents if we were ever able to prove that anything had happened in their home. At that point I finally gained an ally in the parents and the relationship stopped. No one will do anything for you if you are a parent in this situation I am evidence of that.
Also, with regard to the parents signing off on the marriage, I am still a little confused by that. However, I have learned that until she is 18 her parents are responsible for her even if she were to run away and after 16 they cannot force her to come back even if they know where she is. This means if she's driving a car and does damage or gets pregnant, etc the parents are 100% financially liable for whatever she does. By agreeing to the marriage they shifted that liability to her new husband.
16 YEAR OLD MARRING TEACHER
BOY THESE PARENTS HAVE THE NERVE THEY WANTED TO SUE THE SCHOOL THEM AND THE TEACHER SHOULD BE PUT IN JAIL THE PARENTS BITCH BUT THEY SIGN LEGAL PAPERS FOR THIS MAN TO HAVE SEX WITH THEIR DAUGHTER THE STATE SHOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO MARRY UNTILL 18 THIS GIRL IS A CHILD I DONT BELIEVE THESE PARENTS HAVE A SNOW BALLS CHANCE IN HELL OF WINNING ANY LAWSUIT
WASTING TAX PAYERS MONEY IN COURT
PARENT'S YOU ARE THE BLAME FOR YOUR DAUGTHER'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER SUGAR DADDY. I WOULDN'T HAVE GAVE THEM RIGHT TO MARRY. FIRST OF ALL I WOULD HAVE WHIPPED HIS OLD AS- FOR LOOKING AT MY BABY IN SUCH MANNER. THEN I WOULD HAVE WHIPPED HER LITTLE AS- AND MADE HER SIT DOWN SOMEWHERE. YOU MUST HAVE BEEN SCARE TO USE THE ROD THAT THE LORD TOLD YOU TO USE ON HER ASS. SPARE ROD SPOIL THE CHILD PLUS YOU LOST YOUR CHILD TO OLD AS- DIRTY MAN.
WooShite The Wicked
20/20 must be needing somemore pub on this before they start filming, Did'nt here that the Hagers bought a real nice plaque for there daughter to present Mr.Wuchae during the spring sports banquet. Even after they asked that there be no contact between Mr.Wuchae and Wendy. The father went to the principal and asked that his daughter be allowed to do this. Also when it was found out long ago that Wendy was spending her lunch each school day running with Mr. Wuchae the school stoped this activity. The very next day the Hagers showed up and demanded that there daughter now Wendy Wuchae be able to run with her now hubby at lunch anytime she desired. Personly I would have handled this a little differntly, Seeing that simple Assault is a misdimener. And Im sure Mr Wooshite has great medical insurence through the state plan. Little Wendy would have dated Mr Wuchae in the nearest ER for awhile.
Somebodys got to pay.....
......for the wedding. I Guess they think it should be the taxpayers. I hope that the Judge makes the parents pay for all costs and locks the Attorney up with Nifong. He should be embarassed to even think about filing this suit. Parents=Losers, the Attorney=money whore, the Coach=pervert and the child=mindless.
Again...
Another example of..."It's not MY fault, it must be yours!" syndrome! I don't know when the train got derailed, but somebody needs to get this country back on track and FAST!
They signed consent, THEIR FAULT...TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!
I would have 2 agree
I would have 2 agree w/Gloria. I think thats absolutely crazy that their trying 2 sue when they were the ones that signed the marriage license not to mention the fact that she is a 16 yr old child and there are ways to keep them apart...have u ever heard of moving!!!
Lazy parenting
Just another example of "It's not my fault, it was someone else's responsibility." Why didn't they have the same instincts before their child got involved so deeply with a predator?
Enough is enough
To the Hagers take the blame for your mistake not the school board. First, If you felt the school board was not doing anything for your daughter, again YOUR DAUGHTER then you should have taken her out of the school. That is what a concerened parent would do. Next, YOU GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO MARRY NOT THE SCHOOL BOARD. Finally, the parents are to blame. As for the Hagers attorney, "what are you thinking?" An ease way to get famous, no just being stupid.
the lawsuit
Boy this takes the cake .I agree totally with all the others .This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of .Yep you give your consent for her to marry and now its everyones fault but yours.Please people wake the hell up.Our school system needs the money they have for more important issues.This definitly is not one of them.Sounds to me like you should have been watching her closer.
Show Some Respect!
It is amazing to me that someone can take out a lawsuit against the school board when the parents allowed social contact outside of the school environment and then SIGNED FOR THEIR 16 YEAR OLD CHILD TO MARRY A 40 YEAR OLD MAN! Anyone that knows the members of the school board and administration would not question the integrity and judgement showed in this and any other matter. Show Some Respect!
Suing ?? WHAT ???
This has got to be the MOST ridiculous result of negligence I have ever heard of! Hager Family, YOU SIGNED a consent form! You, and only you, are responsible for this situation. If this actually gets in court, YOU BOTH should be locked away for Insanity. Our tax $$$ hard at work for people that are unbearably ignorant. Get a grip, Mama & Bubba!
Bubba! Betty! Not enough money?
Did the movie deal with Lifetime fall through?
Be glad I'm not the judge. I'd throw you and your attorney down the courthouse steps, and tell you to stop wasting my time.
YOU signed the papers for her to get married! YOU gave your blessings!!!
Get Real
The girls parents signed for her to marry the man, so what is their problem? Where were they when the relationship started? Evidentially the parents were not supervising their daughter close enough. If anyone is to blame, they should be pointing their fingers at themselves.
Real hard
If I am irresponsible and screw up real hard can I sue somebody and get some money too? Here is the Hager case... society made me do it (made it this way) and they should be punished... here is my bill.
mr hager it youre fault
if you were much of a man the last thing this pervert would want to do is see youre daughter again. a good old fasioned a-s whippin would have handled him and if you couldnt do it then get some of youre friends together to do it id take an assult charge before id give my daughter to a perverted child molester what were you thinking????????????
SICK AND BACKWARD THINKING- PARENTS ARE YOU FIRST COUSINS????
What kind of parent would allow a 16 yr old to marry a 40 year old? What parent would allow a 16 yr old make the rules? These parents should be charged with "CHILD ABUSE" This is there fault. It is there fault for not Saying NO!! We are not in the 1800's when you marry your child off for a cow or horse which is what they have done (minus the dowry). Having no BALLS to put an end to it. Just because your teenager makes things unbearable at home is no excuse to send her to the hands of a PERVERT. There are ways to deal with unruly teens such as BOOT CAMP.. If it where my daughter (which I have 2) I would find a good private school far away or hire a PI to find proof to put the SOB away for a long time. You know what they do to guys in prison for things like that. I would go to ANY length to PROTECT MY CHILD!! PARENTS YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE COACH. PERVERTS IN THE WORST WAY. SENDING YOUR CHILD INTO THE HANDS OF A SICKO. YOU SHOULD ROT IN JAIL AND BE PUT ON THE NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER LIST FOR SELLING YOUR CHILD WHICH IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BY NOT SAYING NO AND FAILING TO PUT AN END TO A SITUATION THAT SHOULD HAVE HAD A BETTER OUTCOME.
THESE PARENTS FAILED THEIR CHILD!!! I HOPE THE JUDGE THROUGHS THEM IN JAIL FOR CHILD ABUSE.