Police say a spectator grabbed a Wayne County player from behind during an Oct. 30 game against North Laurel.
MONTICELLO, Ky. — A 36-year-old Kentucky woman faces a felony charge after police said she strangled a teenage Wayne County High School football player during an Oct. 30 game, leaving the student with difficulty breathing and requiring a hospital evaluation.
Kayla Barrett, of East Bernstadt, was charged with second-degree strangulation after an investigation by the Monticello Police Department, with assistance from Kentucky State Police. Authorities said Barrett was identified after officers responded to the Wayne County Hospital emergency room, where the player was being evaluated following the game against North Laurel High School. The charge is an allegation, and court proceedings have not established Barrett’s guilt.
Police said the incident developed during a confrontation on or near the field after a play ended near the sideline. Monticello Assistant Police Chief Joshua Smith told local news outlets that Barrett moved toward the commotion and became involved in the scuffle. Smith said she grabbed a Wayne County athlete from behind by the neck and began choking and shaking him. The student’s name has not been released because he is a minor.
The player told investigators that he had trouble breathing during the encounter, according to police accounts. He was taken to the hospital, treated and later released. Authorities said they expected him to recover. Police have not released further details about his injuries, and no more serious medical complications have been publicly reported.
Monticello police said officers began investigating after being called to the emergency room on the night of the game. Investigators determined that a female spectator had allegedly approached the player from behind during the disturbance. Kentucky State Police assisted in identifying Barrett, and Monticello police later filed a criminal complaint in Wayne District Court. An arrest warrant was then issued.
Kentucky State Police arrested Barrett on Nov. 3 and took her to the Laurel County Detention Center. She was later released on bond. Court records cited by news organizations indicated that her release included a condition barring her from attending school sporting events in Kentucky. Authorities have not publicly announced a motive for the alleged assault or described what relationship, if any, Barrett had to people involved in the game.
Smith said Barrett left the area after the confrontation. Police said an officer was able to identify her, allowing investigators to continue the case after the game. An arrest warrant cited in published reports said several people witnessed the alleged assault and that video from the North Laurel football program placed Barrett near the location where it occurred. The publicly reported evidence does not amount to a finding of guilt and would be subject to court proceedings.
The disturbance also brought the football game to an early end, according to published reports. The confrontation occurred during the third quarter of the Wayne County-North Laurel matchup, and the game was not completed normally. The episode drew attention beyond the teams because it involved an adult spectator and a minor student-athlete during a school event.
The Monticello Police Department said high school athletes should be able to compete without fear of violence or intimidation. The department said strong emotions during sporting events do not justify physical violence against players, coaches, officials or spectators. Police also said protecting students and the wider community remains a priority.
Barrett remained charged with second-degree strangulation as of the latest available reports. No final court resolution has been reported, and authorities have not announced additional charges. The Wayne County player was released from medical care and was expected to recover.
Author note: Last updated November 11, 2026.