Meaggan Pettipiece, a former Olympic athlete and head coach of the Valparaiso University Softball team, faced a series of unfortunate events after she failed to scan two items worth a total of $67 at a Walmart self-checkout machine in Indiana. Despite paying for the rest of her groceries, Pettipiece was arrested by Walmart security for theft. During her arrest, police found disposable vapes and unopened blister packs containing the anti-nausea medication Zofran in her possession. She was charged with theft, possession of marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance, ultimately leading to her resignation as head coach of the softball team.
The charges against Pettipiece were dropped on September 19 after her attorney submitted an application for dismissal that included her side of the story, proof of her assistant coach’s prescription for the medication found in her possession, and character reference letters. However, the damage to her career had already been done. Pettipiece expressed her relief at having the charges dismissed, but also lamented the impact the incident had on her life, stating that it has been a “living nightmare.” She acknowledged losing her job, career, and reputation within the softball community as some of the significant consequences.
Pettipiece emphasized that the incident had a profound effect on her career and reputation within the tightknit softball community. Despite the charges being dismissed, she feels that the damage caused may be irreversible. Pettipiece is currently living in Ohio with her family and is focusing on spending time with her children while contemplating her future. She expressed uncertainty about what lies ahead and how to communicate her innocence to others, especially given the negative aftermath of the situation.
The former athlete shared that her resignation from the Division 1 softball program had been distressing, as she had dedicated time and effort to building her coaching career. She described the process as a learning experience where she discovered the true friends and supporters who stood by her during the challenging ordeal. Pettipiece noted that the news of her arrest spread rapidly through the softball community, adding to the complexity of her situation. Despite the setbacks, she expressed gratitude for having her family reunited after the turmoil caused by the incident.
Pettipiece also revealed details about the items found in her possession during the arrest, clarifying that the vapes did not contain nicotine or THC and that the anti-nausea pills belonged to her assistant coach. She explained that they both had forgotten about the medication in her purse, leading to the additional charges. While Pettipiece is relieved that the legal issues have been resolved, she remains concerned about rebuilding her career and reputation in the aftermath of the incident. She stated that it would be challenging to reverse the damage caused by the situation and regain the trust of those who may have doubted her innocence.
