***UPDATE*** 4/1/21 7:15 A.M.
Bradley University basketball player Elijah Childs faces a sex crime charge stemming from an alleged February incident during the Braves’ trip to Springfield, MO for a series against Missouri State.
The Springfield Police Department on Wednesday told the Springfield News-Leader it had concluded its investigation of Childs, and was leaving it up to the prosecutor’s office as to whether or not Childs should be charged.
The prosecutor’s office said Childs was being investigated for second degree sodomy, meaning he could face a class D felony, meaning if charged, he’d face up to seven years in prison.
Childs was one of four players implicated. The other three have all been cleared of any wrongdoing.
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***UPDATE*** 3/11/21 1:17 P.M.
Junior Terry Nolan, Jr. and senior Danya Kingsby have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Springfield Police Department.
The Bradley Athletic Department said Wednesday an investigation continues into whether or not any student or men’s basketball code of conduct was broken in the alleged incident.
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***UPDATE*** 2/18/21 10:45 A.M.
Junior Ja’Shon Henry has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the investigation. He is not a person of interest.
He is set to resume basketball activities immediately, making him available to play Thursday night against Illinois State.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The four Bradley basketball players who were suspended for the recent weekend series against Missouri State were named in a Springfield police report, according to the Springfield News-Leader.
The players were named in a report filed on Feb. 13.
According to a Springfield Police spokesperson, none of the players have been arrested or charged with a crime.
The incident took place between 12:45 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. Saturday at the TownePlace Suites.
The incident report was filed at 7:36 a.m., and any alleged victims’ names were redacted from the report.
According to the Springfield News-Leader, the report classified it as a “sex offense” that was not rape.
Bradley Braves Head Coach Brian Wardle addressed the situation on WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” Thursday morning.
“Those four young men, as of now, are suspended from all basketball-related activities pending the investigation. And, I know the university (Bradley) is just gathering as much information as possible,” Wardle said.
None of the Bradley players have been arrested or charged with a crime. But, they will not play in Thursday’s rival game with Illinois State.
Wardle said it’s not an easy time for his team.
“But, we’re going to continue to have a high moral compass and standards in our program. And, we will never sacrifice a game, a win or a loss, for that,” Wardle said.
