A former Olympic athlete’s life has been “a dwelling nightmare” since she says she unintentionally did not scan two objects at a self-checkout machine — resulting in her arrest and lack of her prestigious job as an NCAA Division 1 softball coach.
Meaggan Pettipiece, 48, was the top coach of the Valparaiso College Softball group when she was scanning her groceries at a Walmart self-checkout machine in Indiana on March 28, in accordance with the Nationwide Put up.
The machine reportedly didn’t scan the asparagus and ham Pettipiece meant to buy.
Walmart safety noticed that she did not scan the objects — value a complete of $67 — prompting them to name the police regardless of her having paid $176 for her different groceries.
Pettipiece, who mentioned she didn’t notice the machine didn’t learn the objects, was arrested.
Throughout her arrest, police discovered she had three disposable vapes and two unopened blister packs containing the anti-nausea remedy Zofran in her purse.
The previous softball participant — who performed outfield for the Canadian Nationwide group within the 2000 and 2004 Olympic video games — was charged with theft, possession of marijuana, and possession of a managed substance, the outlet reported.
Pettipiece resigned as head coach for the Valparaiso softball group on April 1 following a firestorm of headlines that swept by means of all through the Hoosier State after her arrest.
The Ontario native mentioned the vapes didn’t comprise nicotine or THC.
The anti-nausea capsules belonged to an assistant coach, who requested Pettipiece to carry them in her purse throughout a softball recreation days earlier than she was arrested.
“We each forgot about them,” the previous All-American softball participant instructed the outlet.
Earlier this month, Pettipiece’s legal professional submitted an utility for dismissal that included her account of the incident, proof of her assistant’s prescription, and character reference letters, in accordance with the outlet.
After studying the applying, justice officers dropped the fees in opposition to the previous athlete on Sept. 19.
Nevertheless, the harm brought on by the incident “modified every part” for Pettipiece’s profession.
“It’s bittersweet,” she instructed Nationwide Put up. “I’m blissful, clearly, the fees have been dismissed. The unhappy half is the harm it did to my profession. It has modified every part in my life.”
Pettipiece mentioned her resignation as head coach of the Division 1 softball program 5 months in the past has been “a dwelling nightmare.”
“I misplaced my profession, I misplaced my job, the life I used to be constructing and it’s been actually tough,” Pettipiece mentioned.
Alongside along with her profession derailment, the California College of Pennsylvania alumni expressed that the harm to her repute has been equally heartbreaking.
“The softball neighborhood is a tightknit group and it (the information) went by means of like wildfire,” Pettipiece instructed the outlet.
“You actually do be taught who the persons are that actually imagine in you and belief you and are really a pal for you,” Pettipiece mentioned.
Pettipiece is now dwelling in Ohio along with her household.
“I’m blissful my household’s all again collectively. We sacrificed as a household for me to be there teaching and persevering with my teaching profession,” she mentioned.
Although the fees in opposition to her have now been dismissed, she nonetheless fears the harm “can’t be reversed.”
“The robust factor is, how do you get out to individuals that you’re harmless? And this harm was executed for one thing so ridiculous,” Pettipiece instructed the outlet.
“I’m undecided of the long run. For now, I’m going to remain at residence and deal with my children. I’d like to determine which course I’m going to go in.”
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