DAMASCUS, Md. — The principal of Damascus High School resigned from her position amid the investigation and prosecution into alleged rapes that happened in a boys locker room.
Police said the sexual assaults happened after school dismissed Oct. 31, 2018 inside the boy's locker room and involved suspects and victims who are all Damascus High School students.
The incident was connected to hazing with players on the junior varsity football team, according to Damascus High School superintendent. The team forfeited its game the day after.
Casey Crouse, the school's principal, announced her resignation in a letter sent out on Tuesday afternoon.
This decision has been extremely difficult for me and one that I did not take lightly," she wrote in the letter. "I have done my best to serve with strength, passion, professionalism and integrity."
Crouse said the acting principal will begin May 13.
Prosecutors said the suspects may have targeted at least one of their victims for bullying for the entire school year. Then on the last day of football practice, the sophomores allegedly invaded the freshman locker room, turned out the lights, tackled one young man after the other and either raped or attempted to rape each of them in the rectum with a broomstick.
The four 15-year-old suspects were initially charged as adults, but the judge has now transferred all of the defendants to juvenile court.