The lawsuit claims school personnel failed to notify law enforcement within the timeframe required under Washington's mandatory reporting law.
minute read
A Washington state high school wrestler and her mother have filed a federal lawsuit against state education officials, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), and the Puyallup School District after the teen allegedly was sexually assaulted by a biological male opponent during a girls' wrestling match and school officials allegedly failed to report the incident for 53 days.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by attorneys with the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), opens with a blunt claim: "Lies hurt people—in this case, girls." The complaint argues that Washington's policies allowing biological males to compete in girls' sports directly contributed to the alleged assault and deprived female athletes of safety, privacy, and informed consent.
The case centers on 15-year-old Rogers High School wrestler Kallie Keeler, identified in court documents as K.M.K., who alleges she was sexually assaulted during a Dec. 6, 2025, girls wrestling tournament at Emerald Ridge High School.
According to the complaint, Keeler and her mother were unaware that her final opponent of the day was a biological male. The lawsuit alleges that during the match, the athlete "digitally penetrated her vagina" and held the position for several seconds while Keeler attempted to alert her mother from the mat. "Had K.M.K. and her mother known, K.M.K. would not have taken the mat," the lawsuit states.
According to the complaint, Keeler became so distressed during the match that she stopped trying to win and intentionally allowed herself to be pinned to end the contact. The lawsuit alleges the loss dropped her from third place to fourth place in the tournament standings, costing her a podium finish while helping her opponent advance.
The complaint also alleges that after the match, another coach informed Keeler that her opponent was male, leaving her feeling "violated all over again."
The lawsuit names the WIAA, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Superintendent Chris Reykdal, Governor Bob Ferguson, the Puyallup School District, Rogers High School Principal Jason Smith, District Title IX Coordinator Gordon Brobbey, and Emerald Ridge wrestling coach John Morrison as defendants.
ADF alleges that Keeler's mother, Stephanie Brown, reported the incident in writing to school officials on Dec. 8 and provided video evidence. The lawsuit claims school personnel failed to notify law enforcement within the timeframe required under Washington's mandatory reporting law and instead took no action until media inquiries brought public attention to the case in late January.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office later confirmed it had opened an investigation into the allegations after receiving a report from school officials in January. The US Department of Education previously announced it was also launching an investigation into the incident.
The lawsuit further alleges that district employees knew of the complaint, failed to follow district Title IX procedures, and did not provide support services to Keeler until more than two months after the incident was first reported.
ADF attorney Kate Anderson said the case illustrates the consequences of policies that allow biological males to compete in girls' sports without parental notification. "Washington state officials insist on pushing gender ideology at all costs—even at the expense of girls' safety and privacy," Anderson said in a statement. "No girl should have to unknowingly wrestle a boy."
The complaint argues that state policies prohibit schools from notifying parents when their daughters are scheduled to compete against biological males and do not allow parents to opt their children out of such competitions without consequence. The lawsuit also alleges that district officials later refused requests to guarantee advance notice if Keeler were matched against a biological male athlete in the future.
The complaint further alleges that Washington's current policies have effectively forced Keeler out of the sport she has competed in since childhood. The lawsuit states that she wants to continue wrestling but cannot do so because she has no way of knowing when she may again be matched against a biological male athlete and has not been offered any mechanism to opt out of such competition.
The lawsuit also raises a "state-created danger" claim, alleging that Washington officials and school personnel placed Keeler in a more dangerous position by enforcing policies that allowed biological males to wrestle girls without notifying female competitors or their parents.
The filing arrives amid an ongoing debate in Washington over biological males competing in girls' athletics. Earlier this year, a majority of WIAA voting representatives supported proposals that would have limited girls' sports to biological females, but those proposals ultimately failed to take effect after state officials and WIAA leadership maintained they conflicted with Washington law.
The lawsuit also places significant responsibility on Washington state officials, including Superintendent Reykdal and Governor Ferguson. The complaint argues both officials were aware of ongoing concerns surrounding biological males competing in girls' sports and cites public statements defending Washington's existing policies. ADF attorneys note that Ferguson previously said the state's approach to gender-related issues "won't change as long as I am governor," while Reykdal has repeatedly defended policies allowing biological males to compete in girls sports based on gender identity.
According to the suit, "The state legislature and Governor Bob Ferguson are aware of complaints against the harms to girls, but refuse to hold hearings or pass legislation, and they oppose a citizen initiative that would restore fairness in girls' sports."
The controversy also intersects with two citizen-led initiatives backed by Let's Go Washington that could ultimately go before voters. Initiative IL26-638 would prohibit biological male students from competing in girls' and women's scholastic sports, while Initiative IL26-001 would strengthen parental rights by reaffirming parents' authority over decisions involving their children's education, health, and well-being. Supporters argue the measures would address concerns raised by cases such as Keeler's and broader disputes over gender policies in Washington schools.
The lawsuit also comes amid heightened scrutiny of mandatory reporting requirements in Washington schools following the arrest of former Longview Public Schools Superintendent Karen Cloninger, who faces charges related to allegations that school officials failed to properly report student sexual assault claims. That case, along with Keeler's allegations, has intensified public debate over whether school administrators are complying with state laws requiring prompt reporting of suspected abuse.
The lawsuit seeks damages and court orders requiring Washington officials to change policies governing participation in girls' sports, parental notification, and the handling of sexual assault complaints.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by attorneys with the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), opens with a blunt claim: "Lies hurt people—in this case, girls." The complaint argues that Washington's policies allowing biological males to compete in girls' sports directly contributed to the alleged assault and deprived female athletes of safety, privacy, and informed consent.
The case centers on 15-year-old Rogers High School wrestler Kallie Keeler, identified in court documents as K.M.K., who alleges she was sexually assaulted during a Dec. 6, 2025, girls wrestling tournament at Emerald Ridge High School.
According to the complaint, Keeler and her mother were unaware that her final opponent of the day was a biological male. The lawsuit alleges that during the match, the athlete "digitally penetrated her vagina" and held the position for several seconds while Keeler attempted to alert her mother from the mat. "Had K.M.K. and her mother known, K.M.K. would not have taken the mat," the lawsuit states.
According to the complaint, Keeler became so distressed during the match that she stopped trying to win and intentionally allowed herself to be pinned to end the contact. The lawsuit alleges the loss dropped her from third place to fourth place in the tournament standings, costing her a podium finish while helping her opponent advance.
The complaint also alleges that after the match, another coach informed Keeler that her opponent was male, leaving her feeling "violated all over again."
The lawsuit names the WIAA, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Superintendent Chris Reykdal, Governor Bob Ferguson, the Puyallup School District, Rogers High School Principal Jason Smith, District Title IX Coordinator Gordon Brobbey, and Emerald Ridge wrestling coach John Morrison as defendants.
ADF alleges that Keeler's mother, Stephanie Brown, reported the incident in writing to school officials on Dec. 8 and provided video evidence. The lawsuit claims school personnel failed to notify law enforcement within the timeframe required under Washington's mandatory reporting law and instead took no action until media inquiries brought public attention to the case in late January.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office later confirmed it had opened an investigation into the allegations after receiving a report from school officials in January. The US Department of Education previously announced it was also launching an investigation into the incident.
The lawsuit further alleges that district employees knew of the complaint, failed to follow district Title IX procedures, and did not provide support services to Keeler until more than two months after the incident was first reported.
ADF attorney Kate Anderson said the case illustrates the consequences of policies that allow biological males to compete in girls' sports without parental notification. "Washington state officials insist on pushing gender ideology at all costs—even at the expense of girls' safety and privacy," Anderson said in a statement. "No girl should have to unknowingly wrestle a boy."
The complaint argues that state policies prohibit schools from notifying parents when their daughters are scheduled to compete against biological males and do not allow parents to opt their children out of such competitions without consequence. The lawsuit also alleges that district officials later refused requests to guarantee advance notice if Keeler were matched against a biological male athlete in the future.
The complaint further alleges that Washington's current policies have effectively forced Keeler out of the sport she has competed in since childhood. The lawsuit states that she wants to continue wrestling but cannot do so because she has no way of knowing when she may again be matched against a biological male athlete and has not been offered any mechanism to opt out of such competition.
The lawsuit also raises a "state-created danger" claim, alleging that Washington officials and school personnel placed Keeler in a more dangerous position by enforcing policies that allowed biological males to wrestle girls without notifying female competitors or their parents.
The filing arrives amid an ongoing debate in Washington over biological males competing in girls' athletics. Earlier this year, a majority of WIAA voting representatives supported proposals that would have limited girls' sports to biological females, but those proposals ultimately failed to take effect after state officials and WIAA leadership maintained they conflicted with Washington law.
The lawsuit also places significant responsibility on Washington state officials, including Superintendent Reykdal and Governor Ferguson. The complaint argues both officials were aware of ongoing concerns surrounding biological males competing in girls' sports and cites public statements defending Washington's existing policies. ADF attorneys note that Ferguson previously said the state's approach to gender-related issues "won't change as long as I am governor," while Reykdal has repeatedly defended policies allowing biological males to compete in girls sports based on gender identity.
According to the suit, "The state legislature and Governor Bob Ferguson are aware of complaints against the harms to girls, but refuse to hold hearings or pass legislation, and they oppose a citizen initiative that would restore fairness in girls' sports."
The controversy also intersects with two citizen-led initiatives backed by Let's Go Washington that could ultimately go before voters. Initiative IL26-638 would prohibit biological male students from competing in girls' and women's scholastic sports, while Initiative IL26-001 would strengthen parental rights by reaffirming parents' authority over decisions involving their children's education, health, and well-being. Supporters argue the measures would address concerns raised by cases such as Keeler's and broader disputes over gender policies in Washington schools.
The lawsuit also comes amid heightened scrutiny of mandatory reporting requirements in Washington schools following the arrest of former Longview Public Schools Superintendent Karen Cloninger, who faces charges related to allegations that school officials failed to properly report student sexual assault claims. That case, along with Keeler's allegations, has intensified public debate over whether school administrators are complying with state laws requiring prompt reporting of suspected abuse.
The lawsuit seeks damages and court orders requiring Washington officials to change policies governing participation in girls' sports, parental notification, and the handling of sexual assault complaints.
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