The Deer Park school board held a special meeting Tuesday to answer questions about the suspected sexual abuse of a 13-year-old male basketball player.

One student was arrested and three suspended after being accused of sexually assaulting an eighth-grade teammate on the junior varsity basketball team. School officials insist the incident was not an example of hazing, saying it was bullying and harassment. Deer Park High School has cancelled the JV season in light of the attack.

Many parents commended the actions taken by the district following the incident, which included an e-mail within 24 hours to each parent in the district. The e-mail outlined the nature of the incident and informed parents that the suspects had been suspended. The e-mail also stated that police were investigating and that the JV coach had been removed from the sidelines and the classroom. The suspects will have their fates decided in another meeting on Thursday.

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