When I first read about what happened in Shelbyville, Kentucky, it stuck with me for a long time. A former student named Hayley Weddle finally opened up about her experiences from her younger years. Now in her thirties and with her own family, her story dates back to when she was seventeen and assisting the boys’ basketball team at Collins High School.
She described how her teacher and coach, Chris Gaither, began talking to her in a way that felt strange. These conversations went beyond simple discussions about school. They turned personal, shifting her view of the adults she had trusted. I imagined being her age and how confusing that situation would be.
The story was posted online, explaining how it all started in the school’s hallways. It escalated into an incident, she says, that happened while she was babysitting his children. That particular detail made me pause, as babysitting is usually a safe context, especially when it’s for a teacher or coach.
Gaither returned to coaching just a few days after being temporarily removed. This led many people in the community to question why no serious action was taken despite the grave nature of the claims. The school had always taken pride in its basketball program, so this situation shocked many.
Hayley graduated in 2014, having served as a team manager during her final two years. She mentioned that the unsettling conversations began in the fall of 2012. Gaither would text and message her on Snapchat late at night, claiming his wife was asleep when he reached out. She felt uneasy about it even back then.
One of her close friends, Amanda Lamping, saw some of these messages and later provided a statement to the school.
The interactions progressed from small talk to more personal moments. Gaither often called her out of class, especially during basketball season. While helping with team laundry, they usually sat in his classroom. She recalled how he mostly talked, and she just listened.
She also remembered the first day of her senior year when he stopped her in the hallway and remarked that she looked good because she had lost weight. Comments like that from a teacher would make anyone uncomfortable.
One night after an away game, he showed up unannounced at her house. He claimed he was returning a blanket, but ended up staying for a long time. He even asked repeatedly if there was a boy inside. At the time, her dad was very sick and spending most of his days in the hospital, leaving her home alone.
Gaither started prying into her personal life, asking about the boys she liked and offering unsolicited opinions. Her family also noticed something off. During a holiday gathering, a relative saw his name appear on her phone and questioned why a teacher was messaging her.
On a school trip in late December 2013, he continued texting her late at night. These messages were not about assignments; they revolved around relationships and topics a teacher should never discuss with a student. As time progressed, he began to probe into her private life, which would confuse any teenager.
Things escalated right after her graduation. On June 13, 2014, while babysitting for him, with his wife away on a church trip, they talked for a long time after the children went to sleep. When she was leaving, he kissed her. She returned home feeling upset and confused.
The next day, he invited her back. He instructed her to park away from the house and enter quietly. His kids were with family, and his wife was still out of the country. She describes that as the moment everything crossed the line and became physical.
Even after that, he continued to message her over the years, asking questions during college. He even inquired if her boyfriend knew about their past. She tried to move on, but these experiences lingered.
For a long time, she kept quiet, trying to make sense of everything because it felt confusing. Now that she’s older and around the same age he was, she sees it clearly. She believes it was abuse, not just a mistake.
In 2020, she finally reached out to someone about it. That person had shared an open letter about their own experience with Gaither. Reading that letter brought her a mix of fear and relief, and it made her wonder if other girls had been through similar situations. She even stated that she would tell her story if it could protect even one girl.
Years passed, and she kept that email to herself. In November 2025, she was contacted by the school district regarding an investigation where her name had come up. She shared all the details and cooperated with them. Gaither was temporarily removed from coaching but returned before she could complete her full statement.
When she finally met with school officials and submitted her account, one official asked if she wanted the relationship. She was shocked by that question, highlighting how the system fails students when serious issues arise.
Even then, Gaither coached that same evening again and led the team to a victory. The school claimed they consulted lawyers and found no new allegations after late November.
Gaither is also involved in a separate court case where he claims the parents of former players made false statements against him. That case is ongoing.
Hayley says she has no connection to those families. Her story is her own, and she only wants people to understand what she endured.
At this point, she doesn’t know what the school will do. She hopes that sharing her experience will help other girls. She believes that allowing him to continue teaching would not only hurt her but also other students facing similar issues.
Reading her story made me reflect on how easily someone can exploit their position. It also reminded me of the trust students place in teachers. I recalled times when I trusted teachers without considering that something like this could happen.
Hayley’s voice is crucial for every student who fears speaking up. Her story serves as a reminder for everyone to listen before something worse happens to someone else. You may also be interested in: NC Family Shattered Twice After Losing Young Basketball Player In 2024 And Now Cameron Lil Nut In North Forsyth High School Stabbing Over A Vape Pen
