SoCal youth football coach Eibylardo Funes arrested after punching 14-year-old after game, causing the child to suffer a seizure and concussion, police say
A California youth football coach has been arrested after allegedly punching a player during a game, causing the teen to have a seizure and a concussion.
Harlem Kaowili, 14, was hit by Murietta Broncos coach Eibylardo Funes, 50, at the end of a game with the Perris Panthers Saturday at Murietta Vista High School.
The boy’s mother, Neenah Kaowili, cried as she told the story NBC4 about the terrifying moment she saw a coach get physical with her child.
“To see him break down and pass out because he’s an adult again; “I can understand children, but this was an adult who deliberately hit my child in front of me,” Neenah said.
“What happens if we don’t get the old Harlem back? What are we doing? You get suspended from your league and get a slap on the wrist, and my son has to deal with this for the rest of his life,” Neenah said through tears.
Funes was suspended and expelled from the Murietta Youth Football Team and was arrested on suspicion of child abuse with the potential for serious bodily harm and battery.
Harlem Kaowili (pictured), 14, was hit by Murietta Broncos coach Eibylardo Funes, 50, at the end of a game with the Perris Panthers Saturday at Murietta Vista High School
“To see him break down and pass out because he’s an adult again; I can understand children, but this was an adult who deliberately hit my child in front of me,” said Neenah Kaowili, the Harlem mother.
One video shared shows the immediate aftermath of the incident, with Harlem on the ground
According to the Murietta Police Department, officers responded to the scene for reports of a fight during the game between the two teams.
Upon arrival, police discovered that an altercation had broken out between parents, coaches and the teams for unknown reasons.
During that altercation, police said Funes punched Kaowili in the face, resulting in an injury to his eye and symptoms consistent with a concussion.
Police told DailyMail.com that the case remains under investigation at this time.
Meanwhile, the distraught mother first posted about the shocking attack on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, sharing her anger at de Funes’ alleged actions.
“This coach deliberately caused injury and harm to my CHILD with full force! He was then protected by his staff, parents and team,” Neenah wrote.
She called on high school officials to reconsider whether the youth sports team — which is independent of the school — can revoke field privileges.
Neenah also said Pechanga Casino’s sponsorship of the team should be withdrawn following the horrific attack.
“The VistaMurrieta Chapter needs to provide answers as to why this adult is a COACH and allowed to be in the presence of children when he CANNOT keep himself CALM!!!”
“He must bring motivation, education and education by leading by example. This is not the example that CHILDREN should be taught,” the mother wrote.
In addition to the physical damage, Neenah claimed that her 10-year-old and her four-year-old suffered emotional trauma from seeing their brother hurt.
‘This is NOT okay! This is not acceptable!!! Our family is hurting!!! I won’t stop!’
“He must bring motivation, education and education by leading by example. This is not the example that CHILDREN should be taught,” the mother wrote in a Facebook post
Harlem in another photo shared with NBC 4 after the attack
A news release from the Murietta Police Department detailing the September 23 incident
In the post, she shared a video of what appears to be her sitting on the Harlem side of the field after watching the incident from the sidelines.
In the short clip, one person can be heard screaming for an ambulance as Harlem lies on the grass and breathes shallowly.
“Harlem, wake up, wake up, Harlem,” someone is heard saying repeatedly.
According to witnesses who spoke to NBC 4, both teams were agitated throughout the game due to the rules call by the referee.
It remains unclear what caused the coach to get physical with the player.
The Murrieta Youth Football commissioner told the outlet he does not condone any violence and apologized to Harlem and his family for the attack.
The unnamed coach has been suspended and banned from the team.
The Harlem mother and his fellow players on the Perris Panthers Youth Football Team say this isn’t enough and want the team disbanded.
“They don’t deserve to play football if they’re going to play like that and that’s the image they want to maintain,” Neenah said.
One grainy video shared shows the moment the 14-year-old was beaten
“They don’t deserve to play football if they’re going to play like that and that’s the image they want to maintain,” Neenah said.
Video shared with the Southern California outlet showed a grainy version of the incident in which the teen was punched, while another clip showed the moment afterward.
The incident sparked outrage among parents and parents online
“Ohhhh helllll no,” someone wrote on Neenah’s Facebook post.
‘I’m so sorry this happened! Let him report it and appear in court! He shouldn’t be letting kids around anymore,” wrote another.
“Get a really good lawyer because you have a good case,” a third added.
Funes faces one misdemeanor and one misdemeanor charge.
He will next appear in a Riverside County courtroom on November 3.