The Chattanooga Area softball team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

The Chattanooga Area softball team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

Chattanooga, TN — A deeply troubling story is unfolding in the heart of Tennessee as multiple families have filed lawsuits against a prominent Chattanooga-area youth softball team, alleging gross negligence and misconduct after several young players mysteriously went missing over the past two months.

The legal action, which was filed earlier this week in Hamilton County Circuit Court, accuses the Chattanooga Lady Sparks, a travel and development softball team, of failing to ensure the safety of their athletes during team events, resulting in what parents are calling a “horrifying and unexplained disappearance” of at least five players, all girls between the ages of 12 and 15.

The Disappearances

The situation began to gain public attention in early March when 13-year-old Lila Henderson, a pitcher for the Lady Sparks, did not return home from a weekend training retreat organized by the team in northern Georgia. Initially thought to be an isolated incident, the case took a more chilling turn when, over the next six weeks, four additional players were reported missing under similar circumstances—either during or immediately after official team practices, road trips, or tournaments.

Each case shares striking similarities: minimal adult supervision, vague communication with parents, and conflicting accounts from team staff.

“My daughter was dropped off for a practice. That was the last time I saw her,” said Monique Carter, mother of 14-year-old missing player Jayla Carter. “I trusted these coaches with her life. And now she’s gone. No one has given us any real answers.”

Lawsuits and Allegations

At least six families are now suing the team’s head coach, Danielle Rowe, several assistant coaches, and the managing directors of the Chattanooga Lady Sparks program. The lawsuits allege negligence, failure to maintain proper supervision, obstruction of justice, and emotional distress.

One particularly damning accusation comes from a parent who claims that when she attempted to reach out to the coaching staff after her child’s disappearance, she was told not to “spread rumors” and was warned against “damaging the team’s reputation.”

“The defendants prioritized protecting the brand of their travel team over the safety and lives of these children,” said civil attorney Marcus Lattimore, who represents several of the families. “This is an egregious breach of duty, and the consequences have been tragic.”

The legal filings demand full transparency from the team, access to all travel logs, hotel bookings, and staff communication records, as well as monetary damages and a formal investigation into the organization’s management practices.

Law Enforcement Involvement

Local police, along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), have launched a full investigation into the matter. The FBI has also been notified and is reportedly working with authorities due to the possibility that the children were transported across state lines.

So far, no suspects have been named publicly, but officials confirmed that one assistant coach is being treated as a “person of interest” after resigning unexpectedly two weeks ago and refusing to cooperate with investigators.

“This is now a multi-jurisdictional missing persons case,” said TBI Special Agent Cynthia Langston at a press conference on Wednesday. “We are pursuing every lead and will not rest until we find these girls and determine exactly what happened.”

Search teams have been deployed throughout Tennessee and Georgia, and investigators are examining surveillance footage, vehicle GPS logs, and witness testimony from tournament hotels and venues.

The Team Responds

The Chattanooga Lady Sparks have issued a brief statement expressing sympathy for the families while denying any wrongdoing:

“We are devastated by the recent disappearances and are fully cooperating with authorities. The safety of our players has always been our top priority. We are confident that the truth will come to light, and we extend our deepest prayers to the families affected.”

However, critics argue that the team’s vague response and lack of transparency have only fueled mistrust and fear within the community.

Community Reactions

The story has struck a nerve across Chattanooga and the larger youth sports community. Parents and coaches from nearby programs have begun reevaluating safety protocols and communication systems, while local schools are offering additional counseling services to students impacted by the situation.

“This shakes you to the core,” said Carla McKnight, a longtime softball coach and mentor in the area. “Youth sports are supposed to be about growth and teamwork—not about fear, lawsuits, and missing children. Something clearly went very wrong here.”

Social media campaigns under hashtags like #FindTheFive and #JusticeForLadySparksGirls have gained momentum, with people across the country sharing missing person flyers and pressuring authorities for updates.

Several local churches and youth organizations have begun organizing prayer vigils, safety forums, and donation drives for affected families.

Lawmakers Step In

The controversy has caught the attention of state lawmakers, who are now calling for an emergency review of youth sports oversight regulations. Tennessee State Senator Evelyn Harper announced plans to introduce legislation requiring all travel sports organizations to be registered with the Department of Youth and Family Services, and mandating background checks for all staff and chaperones.

“There is no oversight right now for these travel teams. That has to change,” said Senator Harper. “We owe it to our kids and their families.”

Families Speak Out

At a tearful press conference on Thursday, parents of the missing girls stood together, united in grief and determination.

“These are our daughters,” said Tyrone Jackson, father of missing 12-year-old Maya Jackson. “They deserve to come home. Someone knows what happened. Please help us find them.”

The families announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of their children and launched a dedicated tip line and website: www.HelpFindOurGirls.org.

Final Thoughts

As the days stretch into weeks and questions continue to mount, Chattanooga is left reeling from a nightmare that has shattered the trust between parents, coaches, and youth sports systems.

The lawsuits may be the first step in holding those responsible accountable, but for the families involved, nothing will bring peace until their children are found safe.

Until then, the city waits, mourns, and prays—hoping that somewhere, the silence will break, and the missing girls will come home.