The East Texas Travel softball team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

The East Texas Travel softball team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

April 22, 2025 – East Texas

In a shocking and rapidly developing story, the East Texas Travel Softball Football Team, a well-known youth sports organization in the region, is under intense scrutiny after numerous parents have filed lawsuits, alleging the disappearance of their children who were active players on the team.

According to documents filed in Smith County Court, at least twelve families have brought legal action against the team’s management and coaching staff, claiming gross negligence, lack of communication, and potential involvement in the unexplained disappearance of their children. The team, which participates in both travel softball and football tournaments across Texas and neighboring states, is now at the center of a criminal investigation.

MISSING CHILDREN SPARK FEAR AND OUTRAGE

The first report of a missing child came two weeks ago, when 13-year-old Malik Johnson failed to return home from a weekend tournament in Louisiana. His parents, Tanya and Marcus Johnson, say they were assured by the team’s coach that their son had simply gotten onto the wrong van and would return the next morning. However, that morning came and went — and there was no sign of Malik.

Days later, other families began reporting similar experiences: players were not returning calls, texts were left unread, and in several instances, players never arrived at their scheduled games or practices. Soon, a pattern emerged, with at least seven teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 reported missing in connection to the team’s recent out-of-town trips.

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Tanya Johnson during a press conference outside the Smith County Courthouse. “We trusted these coaches with our children. We paid for travel, lodging, uniforms. We believed this was a safe environment for our son to grow, learn teamwork, and stay active. Now, we’re being told they don’t know where he is.”

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Local law enforcement agencies, in coordination with the FBI, have launched a full-scale investigation into the allegations. Sheriff Carl Dunham of Smith County told reporters that the situation is being treated as a “high-priority missing persons case.”

“Each case is unique,” said Dunham, “but the fact that so many children, all connected to this team, have gone missing in such a short time is more than a coincidence. We’re exploring every lead — from improper travel arrangements to possible criminal activity.”

Authorities confirmed that several coaching staff members have been questioned, and some have reportedly retained legal counsel. So far, no arrests have been made, but several team affiliates, including the team’s travel coordinator and assistant coach, have been named in the civil lawsuits.

A HISTORY OF CONCERNS?

Former players and parents are now coming forward to say there were warning signs long before this crisis erupted. Maria Contreras, whose son played for the East Texas Travel Team two years ago, told reporters that the program had “serious oversight problems.”

“They were disorganized,” said Contreras. “Sometimes, they would leave for tournaments late, not check in with parents, and there was never a consistent head coach. I pulled my son from the team because it just didn’t feel safe.”

Local media outlets have also uncovered discrepancies in the team’s registration with the Texas Youth Athletic Commission. While the team marketed itself as a dual-sport elite travel program, it was not officially certified for overnight travel activities — a possible violation of state sports regulations.

LEGAL ACTION MOUNTS

At the heart of the legal cases filed is the claim that the team violated the duty of care owed to the children. According to the lawsuits, parents were not provided with accurate itineraries, emergency contact protocols were poorly maintained, and in at least three cases, children were placed in vehicles with adults who were not background-checked.

Attorney Leland Brooks, who is representing several of the families, said the case is “a textbook example of institutional failure.”

“These families placed their faith — and their children — in the hands of people they thought were professionals,” Brooks stated. “The East Texas Travel Team showed a reckless disregard for safety protocols. They failed to ensure the children’s whereabouts were accounted for during out-of-town trips, and now, children are missing. This is beyond unacceptable — it’s potentially criminal.”

The lawsuits seek damages for emotional distress, negligence, and in some cases, wrongful endangerment. Several parents are also calling for the team to be permanently shut down.

COMMUNITY IN SHOCK

The East Texas sports community, long known for its passionate support of youth athletics, has reacted with disbelief and sorrow. Candlelight vigils have been held in Tyler, Longview, and Palestine for the missing teens. Flyers with pictures of the players have been posted across the region, with the hashtag #BringThemHomeNow trending on social media.

“This team has been around for years,” said Kyle Benton, a former assistant coach not involved in the current staff. “They’ve traveled the state. They’ve brought home trophies. No one ever thought something like this could happen. It’s just devastating.”

The team’s official website has been taken offline, and their social media accounts have gone dark. Attempts by local media to contact the head coach, identified as Charles “Chuck” Middleton, have been unsuccessful. Middleton has not made any public statements since the allegations emerged.

CALLS FOR REFORM

As the investigation unfolds, parents, community leaders, and youth sports advocates are calling for stricter oversight of travel sports programs in Texas.

“There need to be clear rules about who’s allowed to transport children, how often parents are informed, and what kind of background checks are done on staff,” said State Rep. Alicia Moreno, who announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at reforming youth travel teams.

For now, the focus remains on locating the missing teens. Law enforcement has asked the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small. The families, meanwhile, are clinging to hope and calling on the nation to pay attention.

“We just want our kids back,” said Marcus Johnson, his voice breaking. “That’s all we want. That’s all that matters.”