West Virginia Attorney General Addresses Sexual Harassment Allegations

West Virginia Attorney General John McCaskey has responded to sexual harassment allegations made against a transgender athlete who filed a lawsuit against the state to contest a law prohibiting biological males from participating in women’s sports. He discussed the case during a news conference on Monday, as it awaits a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“As a parent, it’s important to reflect on the thought of your child being harassed. Though this isn’t our case, any kind of harassment toward children is unacceptable. We all need to make sure they are safe, especially in sports,” McCaskey stated.

The allegations were initially made by Adair Cross, a student at Bridgeport High School, against the transgender athlete who had previously been a track teammate during their time at Bridgeport Middle School.

According to Cross’ mother, Abby, her daughter experienced threatening and vulgar comments from the transgender athlete while in the girls’ locker room during the 2022-2023 school year. Adaleia Cross was an eighth-grader at the time, while the transgender athlete was in seventh grade.

The legal representative from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which is defending the rights of transgender athletes, denied the allegations. “Both our client and her mother dispute these claims. The school district investigated and found the allegations to be unsubstantiated. We uphold the rights of all students under Title IX, ensuring they have a safe learning space,” said the ACLU’s statement.

In response, attorneys representing the Cross family from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) emphasized that Adair Cross has provided sworn testimony about the events with the transgender athlete. They mentioned that the situation forced her to leave the sport she loved and impact her school life.

The transgender athlete herself denied the allegations, saying, “I wasn’t raised that way.” A letter from the Harrison County School District indicated that the investigation into the claims resulted in them being labeled as “unsubstantiated.”

The Cross family stated they had reported the harassment to the school but felt no adequate action was taken. Adaleia expressed her frustration, noting that she felt the investigation was abruptly concluded without clear communication.

Fox News reached out to both the ACLU and the Harrison County School District for documentation and clarity on the investigation findings, yet these requests remained unaddressed.

In a press conference on the same day, former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines also discussed the situation, stating it was “traumatizing” for Adair Cross. She shared concerns about middle school girls feeling unsafe in similar scenarios.

On the following day, Gaines and McCaskey were joined by several state attorneys general and other female athlete advocates who voiced their support for the Save Women’s Sports legal defense, coinciding with upcoming Supreme Court oral arguments regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Idaho’s Attorney General, Raul Labrador, condemned the actions of the transgender athlete in relation to their legal case, suggesting a form of manipulation concerning the lawsuit’s status.

Gaines expressed the necessity of addressing these issues for the sake of young girls’ competitive futures, emphasizing that biological differences between males and females impact sports opportunities. Former college athlete Macy Petty shared her own challenging experiences and discussed the emotional toll it took on her as a competitor.

California leaders, including Attorney General Rob Bonta, faced criticism from some advocates for what they believe is an insufficient response to cases involving transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Furthermore, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita spoke candidly about a lawsuit involving a transgender plaintiff, expressing concern for the child’s well-being amidst political pressures.

He concluded with an appeal for understanding and empathy, wishing his fellow colleagues luck as they approached the significant court deliberations.