Staff report

Updated: Nattiel is a Newberry High School coach and parent, not Santa Fe High School.

ALACHUA, Fla. – Melissa Danielle Nattiel, 42, hailing from Newberry, faces charges of child abuse, contributing to juvenile delinquency, and disorderly conduct following claims that she instigated a brawl among teenagers at a track event held at Santa Fe High School last March.

An officer from the Alachua Police Department recounted that Nattiel attended the track meet on March 3 in her roles as both a parent and an assistant coach for Newberry’s track team.

The officer detailed that Nattiel’s son, alongside other Newberry track team members, and two students from a different school had previously engaged in a scuffle. By the time Nattiel reached the scene, “tensions had already subsided.” Yet, Nattiel reportedly reignited the situation by encouraging further conflict, telling the two victims to fight her son. She allegedly approached them in a confrontational manner, instructing her son to “Go punch that kid.” It’s reported that she also physically shoved the victims, one of whom pushed her back defensively as more Newberry team members closed in.

According to the officer, “This led to a brawl involving students from Newberry, Gainesville, and Eastside High Schools.”

Nattiel is now facing two counts of child abuse, three counts of promoting juvenile misconduct, and one of disorderly conduct. The formal charges were filed on July 1, leading to a warrant for her arrest on July 11. She was taken into custody on August 2 and subsequently released on a $40,000 bond.

Articles pertaining to arrests are grounded in information provided by law enforcement. The charges mentioned stem from arrest reports and/or court documents and remain mere allegations. Every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.