Shocking Allegation: 16-Year-Old Girl Claims Sexual Assault by Biologically Male Transgender Wrestler During Girls’ Match

A 16-year-old girl from Washington state has come forward with a detailed account of sexual assault during a girls’ wrestling match, alleging her opponent—a biologically male student who identifies as a woman—forced her to engage in inappropriate acts.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced on Friday it has opened a directed Title IX investigation into the Puyallup School District following the allegations. Federal officials stated they will determine whether the district violated Title IX by allowing males to compete in female sports, granting access to girls’ locker rooms, and failing to properly respond to sexual assault claims.

The case centers on a December 6, 2025, wrestling match involving Kallie Keeler, a 16-year-old sophomore at Rogers High School who competed in the girls’ 190-pound division. She has voluntarily disclosed her identity publicly.

Keeler told a podcast that during the bout, while face-down on the mat, her transgender opponent “reached between her legs and, very forcefully for several seconds, tried to push her fingers in my vagina.”

“That has never happened, out of all the years I’ve wrestled,” she said.

Initially believing her opponent was female because the event was designated as girls-only, Keeler learned moments after the match from a coach at another school that the wrestler was biologically male and identifies as a woman. She described it as “shocking.”

“I was just kind of like, what? What the heck?” Keeler said. “I didn’t really know what to do or how to handle that situation. I just wanted the match to be over.”

Keeler allowed herself to be pinned to end the match and immediately reported the incident to her mother, who then attempted to contact school officials. Her parents emailed school administrators two days later demanding action. In a statement, Keeler’s mother wrote: “This is a huge issue and something that is 100% not OK. The fact that this was done by a biological male who identifies as a woman is an even bigger issue for me.”

According to the family, they did not receive further follow-up. Under Washington law, public school employees are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or sexual assault. Despite multiple district employees being aware of Keeler’s claims, the incident was not reported to law enforcement until late January—nearly two months after the match.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it has opened a criminal investigation into the alleged incident. Deputy Carly Cappeltto stated that the case remains active and occurred between the victim and a transgender student.

In a statement, the district said it is legally required to protect student privacy and cannot share specific details but emphasized that student safety is a top priority and all reports are taken seriously. OCR also plans to review complaints from at least a dozen female athletes who previously reported that two biologically male students were present in girls’ locker rooms. Some students described feeling uncomfortable undressing in front of boys but believed their concerns were dismissed.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey called the allegations “sickening,” stating: “That a female athlete was not only unknowingly forced to compete against a male in a girls-only division placing her at increased risk for sexual assault, but that her report of sexual assault during the match was ignored for months.”

Richey added: “While the District may prioritize ideological agendas over the safety and dignity of its students, the Trump Administration will not tolerate such conduct.”

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program receiving federal funding. Federal officials said the investigation will determine whether female students were denied safe and equal access to athletics.