Sandwich family responds after social media incident targeting son, daughter

The Sandwich school department suspended both the freshman and junior varsity baseball seasons after Sandwich Middle-High School players posted derogatory and sexually explicit comments on social media about two children — one of whom is autistic.

The May 2 incident on Exposed, a Google Play media application took place as the baseball team was riding home on the bus after a game, according to a parent of the two children, Victor "VJ" Viola of Sandwich, in a comment Saturday on his personal Facebook page.

Viola said, in the comment, that Superintendent Joseph Maruszczak told the Viola family that what happened isn't considered bullying, cyber bullying, or otherwise.

"It’s very concerning that a person, paid for by the people in the town of Sandwich, has taken this stance on this very serious matter," Viola said.

Maruszczak confirmed to the Times that the last two weeks of the freshman baseball season were cancelled. "This is an unfortunate but necessary consequence," he said. "This matter is a student disciplinary matter, and as a result, the district does not comment."

Heather Viola, the children's mother, told the Times Friday that her family reported the incident to police. Sandwich Police Lt. John Manly confirmed Heather Viola's account.

"This was investigated and found not to be a criminal matter," said Manly in an email to the Times Monday.

What was the alleged incident?

Exposed, according to the Google Play website, is an application that allows users to enter a name onto its platform, and then other users can answer questions, do dares and complete challenges.

When Viola's son's name was entered onto the Exposed platform, several teammates posted messages, according to Viola. He did not name the individuals posting the messages. The messages stated that the son was going to die in a car crash and that he was going to harm himself. Another message made reference to autism and used an anti-gay slur, according to Viola in his Facebook comment.

Viola said in his post that he was uncomfortable revealing the comments posted by the baseball players about his daughter.

Exposed is anonymous, said Viola, and comments are erased once the game is completed. "Not one player on that bus would take responsibility," said Viola.

According to Viola's post, several baseball players told the Viola family about the incident on May 4. On May 6, the Violas filed a report with the school. On May 7, freshman and junior varsity games and practices were cancelled for the week while the school investigated. The school cancelled the last two weeks of the season but assured the family the investigation was still ongoing, said Viola.

'The school makes the rule'

In his social media post, Viola said his family was upset that students connected to the incident were still allowed to attend the school's eighth grade semi-formal event. Maruszczak emailed Viola on Friday, he said, informing him that the baseball players who have been accused wouldn't be punished further. That was the first time since the incident, said Viola in his post, that his family heard from Maruszczak.

"He said that the school makes the rules — not us," said Viola. "People need to be held accountable for their actions. Our family’s goal is to make sure this living hell never happens to another family."

Maruszczak told the Times that during any bullying or harassment investigation, school administrators follow policies and procedures detailed in the district's bullying prevention and intervention plan.

The plan says that Sandwich Public Schools District is committed to providing students with equal educational opportunities and a safe learning environment free from bullying and cyberbullying.

"Administration and professional staff provide supports to the victim(s) to ensure both physical and emotional safety," Maruszczak said. "Appropriate and commensurate disciplinary measures are often a component of the response, but restorative and educational measures are also imperative when working with students."

Administrator for Athletics Sean Donovan did not return requests for comment from the Times.

Sandwich School Committee Chair Kevin Sareault, said the definition of ''bullying'' for Sandwich schools is the repeated use by one or more students or school staff members of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture directed at someone that causes physical or emotional harm to that person or damage to their property. It is bullying if the act places the victim in reasonable fear of harm to himself or of damage to his property, or creates a hostile environment at school for the person. Bullying is also when the act infringes on the rights of the individual at school, or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

Sareault said the incident involving Viola's son was a disciplinary matter, which makes it inappropriate for the School Committee to comment.

The effects on the family

Viola said, in his post, that he has coached 90% of the junior varsity players since they were five-years-old, in Little League. "They’ve been to our house. We've fed them and treated them like our own," said Viola, in his post. "This is heartbreaking to us."

Because of the incident, the Violas met with the school to gain additional emotional support for their son. "There have been tears in our house every day, and the mental health of our children is completely deteriorating," said Viola in his post.

Viola's son was diagnosed with autism as a young child, he said, and also suffers from severe anxiety. At age 12, he started to have suicidal thoughts.

"That lasted for about 1 1/2 years," said Viola. "He has an unbelievable team of doctors and therapist that have helped him along the way. He has been in a good place for a while mentally while still dealing with his everyday anxieties."

Baseball, he said, was an outlet that helped his son grow.

Viola cautioned others about attacking others on social media.

"The principal, assistant principal, and athletic director have taken this matter extremely seriously and have done the best they can with the little resources they have," said Viola in his social media post. "Please talk to your kids about these apps, the impact of their words on others, and advocating for those that might not be able to."

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Sandwich baseball games end after app incident targets student, sister