The head cheer coach at Indian Trail High School and Academy has been fired. Kayla Estevez, 26, of Kenosha, was fired from KUSD as the head cheer coach for Indian Trail High School and Academy on October 18, 2024 for bizarre and potentially dangerous behavior. Estevez was also suspected by cheerleaders of mishandling money from the booster program.
According to Estevez’ personnel file:
A student and member of the cheer team notified the school’s athletic director about some odd behavior concerning the school’s head cheer coach. She said that Estevez improperly handled injuries, made inappropriate comments, threatened to remove cheerleaders from the team, and finally, a more serious concern.
The athletic director learned that Estevez left her her two-month-old son with the cheer team and the baby was in potential danger throughout the practice due to students running, jumping and other cheer actions taking place close to where the baby was on the mat without supervision.
Security footage revealed that Estevez left her son at practice at 4:31 p.m. and didn’t return until 5:46 p.m. The footage also showed the students taking turns caring for the two-month-old, but also several minutes where the baby was left completely unattended on the same mat where cheer practice was taking place.
Estevez asked the assistant coach if she could watch her son for a few minutes while she ran her daughter to TAP class. The coach felt that this would only be for a few minutes and she would return right away. However, Kayla Estevez did not return for approximately 90 minutes. During that 90 minutes, the team was unprepared with regard to time, lack of experience with a baby, and the overall fact that it was a full cheer practice.
During this time, the two-month-old was crying and students tried to feed the baby. A bit later, the baby had a bowel movement and the team had no resources to properly care for the baby or change the baby. One of the students called Estevez on her cell phone to ask her what they should do. Estevez told them to just find a paper towel and wet it so they can change the diaper. One of the students changed the baby.
ITA Principal Scott Kennow met with Estevez and the athletic director to discuss the events. Estevez said she was having a bad day and was tired, so she didn’t want to bring her baby with her to take her daughter to TAP class. She admitted it was a poor decision. She lied and said she was only gone for 30 minutes. She later admitted that she drove to the TAP class, spent one hour there, and drove back. Estevez admitted that there was no discussion about child care, medical concerns, feeding, or diapering. The assistant coach felt it would only be for a few minutes as they had a full practice to conduct.
Kennow notified the Kenosha Police Department school resource officer who did not investigate and said the baby was technically left in the care of a legal adult. DCFS was also notified. Principal Kennow notified the district who decided to immediately terminate Estevez on October 18, 2024.
Estevez was previously an English teacher at ITA, but it is unknown why she is not longer a teacher.
Financial Misconduct Allegations
KCE spoke with multiple cheerleaders at ITA. The calls came unsolicited. A cheerleader, “Tia,” told KCE that “Estevez was being investigated for ’embezzling,’ and since, hasn’t been allowed to be around the cheer team.” KCE is told that Estevez collected money for uniforms and expensive trips on her personal Venmo account, so the school district has no records of the transactions. “She was charging us $200 per piece [for uniforms]. Tons of money that wasn’t adding up,” said Tia.
A student told KCE that Estevez got a brand new car, which she found weird becuase she said Estevez always complained about not having any money.
“Similarly, there was a Florida trip last year. And this is kind of really what caused all of our parents to get upset. Is that this trip, she made a whole parent meeting presentation. It was the cheer competition in Florida. So we we’re all going to stay at the same hotel as the other cheer teams. We were supposed to have buses lined up. All that stuff, right? And we get down to Florida. After paying all this money, it was over $2,000 a kid and parents were supposed to go. And the buses weren’t there for us. So [Estevez] called every parent [saying] they’re responsible for either Ubering us everywhere or renting their own car. And we were at a hotel that was off property from where the cheer competition was,” said Tia. She also said the hotel wasn’t a nice one.
“Like, what happened to all this money? Especially because last year, the thing she did was, Indian Trail hosted our first cheer competition. For the first time in five, ten years. We don’t usually host. We just attend them. And by hosting, [people] paid a lot of money to come in. So we’re not sure how much it was. But the intent of that was that it would fund our team’s travel and stuff. But then she told us that it didn’t make as much money as she expected. So we all had to pay ourselves. And we still ended up not getting nice accommodations.”
She told us that a parent reported the financial issue to the school and that the cheerleaders are “happy she is gone.”
“But the amount of money that some cheerleaders believe it is, it could be tens of thousands of dollars. Even considering the specific example I have, where each cheerleader had to pay for the choreographer. And she told us every year, each cheerleader had to pay $500. And I averaged, we had 25 girls on our team. I’m not sure what the exact math for that is, but it’s a lot. But if you look at the choreographer’s website, it’s a one time fee of $400 [for the entire team.] So right there is tons of money that we don’t know what it went to, because it’s not like we’re getting new cheer maps or school uniforms or anything like that,” said Tia. “But interestingly enough, I mean, most of our peers had her on Facebook and stuff. In the past week, she’s deleted all her social media.”
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KCE didn’t see any investigations in Estevez’ personnel file regarding the booster money. We asked Tanya Ruder, KUSD’s Chief Communications Officer, about the alleged embezzlement investigation and she ignored the question, instead saying “Ms. Estevez is no longer an employee of the district effective 10/18/2024.”
Kenosha Police tell KCE that they have no records whatsoever of an investigation of Estevez’ alleged actions and again, Estevez declined comment to KCE. If you have any details about Estevez that seem off, please call or email KCE. We will investigate, even if KUSD doesn’t.
86 Responses
I doubt there are many 26 year olds capable
of going up against a seasoned investigator
such as yourself.
This one will be easy.
Someone please take that baby from this evil woman. Single parent? Hoping her baby daddy steps up!
Stop believing fake news!
What fake news? What are you taking about?
Hello Kayla, you should be ashamed of yourself, video does not lie. Hoping you also get charged with felony child neglect.
How is it neglect when there were not only adults but people in the age range of the average baby sitter
Are you fucking stupid? Let me answer that for you, YES!!!!
Next time I fill up at kwik trip I’ll leave my daughter there while I run off for an hour. It’s okay since the employees there are of age, correct?
it wasn’t okay….but it is far from felony neglect.
you’re an idiot, go steal some more trademarks
FIrst of all…”watcher” are you trying to be me? There is only one The Watcher.
Second, this is more of a DCFS case than a criminal one. But if the KCDA Victim Witness people have their say…..watch out!
How do you know he hasn’t been forced out by “court”?????
It’s possible.
She is married.
No he’s busy making his fifth baby.
not a single parent, i used to work with her husband, hr quit to go to work as a CO at youth jail
There’s another cheer coach that could use some investigating. She’s hopped around several schools and usually leaves after parents get wise. Currently at Elkhorn. Injuries not reported, money questions, grooming, the list goes on and there’s proof.
Does anyone know anything about the fraud perpetrated by former Tremper Cheer coach Tyler Hess ?
Check out Brian from Tremper, a real POS tyrant, talks shit constantly to the team and charges a shit ton of money.
Lies and slander – you can be sued for that
Hi Tyler.
Not if is true
Pretty sure I’m aware of which alleged cheer coach you’re referring to, and what you’re claiming is just uncalled for and untrue as a former Wilmot team member. Really sad when people in the community make it their goal to tear down a well respected coach, who I still go to as an adult for support, because they thought their children were immune to following rules.
Ohhhh did she own a cheer gym?
Why did no parents DEMAND an audit last year? There’s really no excuse for that. And don’t tell me “we reported it” because clearly there was no follow-through and she was allowed to keep her position.
No one wanted to be team manager?
My only input is I first handedly understand the costs being a parent of a child 15 years as a CYC RAIDER cheer team it’s not cheap. Love you Dorthy Wentland ❤️❤️
and school cheer although cheer…..is still expensive if they are competitive
You should be fired for misappropriation of information. You are not a journalist!
“Misappropriation of information?” You are ridiculous.
What in the world. Were you there? Ok then.
I love his articles, they are one of the ONLY sources that provides unbiased facts!
Me too! I rely on KCE because the Kenosha News is not even worthy of lining my rabbit’s cage
Hahahahaha! God, please bless this child for she is ignorant beyond her years….Amen
you are not anonymous–you are a troll
I will bring this up with the HR department…. Actually I am the HR department…. I launched a complete and comprehensive investigation of myself. I have exonerated myself of “misappropriation of information.” I will not be firing myself. Your complaint will remain on file for one year
Why aren’t you investigating the WILMOT SCHOOL BOARD member who recently resigned because she allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars from children- the jr. panther football organization?! Is she a friend of yours?
Why don’t you investigate them if you’re so worried?
Send me an email. I have no idea what happened.
It’s easy to make stuff up when you can remain anonymous. Coward.
Another One my gosh what are you doing KUSD where are you finding these people to be with are children !
Like cockroaches when the lights come on they start to scatter.
Fake news? Are you serious? Were you there? Girl bye.
Why does it say left her child alone but then says she left them with the assistant coach? Those are not the same thing.
After reading the article I agree that this seems off. I don’t believe she would have asked the assistant coach to watch the baby if she didn’t trust her, at least I wouldn’t. As a mom, I know how hard and tiring it can be sometimes, it stinks that people automatically go to how bad of a person/parent/coach she is without even knowing the other side of the story.
agree, child was left in the care of others. She was gone too long and its possible the assistant likely didn’t feel comfortable refusing to watch a 2 month old. This however is not child neglect. This is a bad choice.
Was only supposed to be a few minutes, not running off for 90 minutes.
she was wrong 100% but not criminal..
I understand that but either way if she left the child in someone else’s care, then it was their responsibility to take care of them even if she didn’t come back on time. you can’t just leave a child because the mother doesn’t show back up.
When kids are stunting, tumbling, and cheering; coaches are supposed to be doing their jobs. It’s not a daycare. It’s a cheer team. When kids are stunting and tumbling and a baby is on the mat, it’s a safety hazard! The kids should not have been at the practice to begin with. Atleast that’s how my program does things.
Nothing is right about her leaving her 2-month-old child at a cheer practice…
She did leave her baby with minors. A couple of girls on the cheer team had to feed and change the baby. My daughter was one of them
You are aware that plenty minors do childcare right and what they do when they babysit is feed and change the babies so in that aspect she did nothing wrong, her only fault was leaving the baby longer than they expected.
With no food or diapers. Neglectful parenting.
I don’t think any cheerleaders signed up for babysitting. I’m pretty sure they we’re there for practice you idiot!
The article said they tried to feed the baby. If no food, what did they try to feed the baby?
There was a bottle with water and no formula and no wipes when he pooped…
Their kids, prob tried to feed the baby nachos and a Monster
Kusd quick to fire her but leaves groomers and teachers flirting with kids on the payroll
I knew her from high school and this behavior tracks. She learned from the best there was a choir teacher in park highschool in Racine (where Kayla is from) that was doing the same thing to kids. I remember Kayla getting kicked out of musical cause she cheated on the audition then went on Facebook and started bullying the kids that made it in the musical.
That part‼️
Another fumble by KUSD
another “swell” employee of the KUSD–this whole enterprise needs to be torn down and rebuilt or disbanded altogether from the top down.
It’s stories like these that really make me wonder if there are any decent humans left 🙁
So with an older kid going to dance, this isn’t her first rodeo, where was the diaper bag with all the stuff newborns need?
These cheer coaches take themselves way too seriously around here. It’s not like these kids are DCC
Speaking of embezzlement. Anything new on the Berg allegations?
It’s still “under investigation’ by the Milwaukee County DA’s office.
Can solis take it back once he’s in? No way berg walks after all that money
Observing that Tanya Ruder KUSD’s Chief Communications Officer dodged the question of the alledged imbezzlement investigation by refusing to answer the question is so Karine Jean-Pierre’ish. Woke ass school district. They are not transparent to the citizens or community who pay their wages. Think they have your childs best interest at heart?
I don’t know what everyone is so upset over. She identifies as a good parent and an effective and successful cheer coach.
How many comments you going to post, KAYLA?
I think you missed the sarcasm.
She’s not a good cheer coach. lol
KUSD will crumble in summer 2025 with the red wave changes we just had come through. So much so they won’t have enough teachers or staff to operate come Sept 2025 because they don’t care about the kids, only their liberal policies/agendas and this inability to operate will prove that fact.
Just my 2cents.
I think the problem here is that KUSD is not involved in the financial aspects of the cheer team since it is not a WIAA sectioned sport. Not to stick up for KUSD, they clearly have a lot of issues to resolve. But they most likely had no insight into the financial aspects of the team. I am curious what legal options KUSD has when requesting financial information from a non-sanctioned sport.
Anytime I pay for anything at my child’s KUSD middle school, the check is made in the name of the middle school. Same as dues paid to Case for cheer. Something is rotten in Denmark
How do they handle all the money from competitions? That is a lot of money from door fees, entry fees, raffle fees, vendor fees, concessions etc. Then the money going out. Rentals, judges, spotters etc.
It should always go through a boosters club that is ran by a board and treasurer if it is not a WIAA sanctioned sport managed by the school. All funds paid directly to the school are managed, funds paid to a private individual is the problem. There is no accountability if it is not an official booster club.
Good, possibly our property taxes will go down then. I’m a senior citizen and haven’t had kids in school for over 35 years but my property taxes keep going up funding these schools that hire Sexual Predators and Close the school ever Friday at noon, besides way to many meetings, schools close for the day. The school taxes and referendums ate more than my property taxes. Did us tax payers get a credit when the schools were closed for COVID, hell no we didn’t.
There is a big conflict here which parents should always take note of, this is a big red flag. If your team does not have a separate boosters club that manages funds, ask why, especially if it is not an official school sanctioned sport. Football and Lacrosse are official sanctioned sports so some of the gear and transportation is managed by the coaches and paid out of school funds. I do not know if cheer is a sanctioned sport so it probably requires all funds from outside. Boosters should be set up as a separate entity with a board that includes a treasurer. The boosters then requires regular meetings that include the coaches and parents. When the ITA football boosters was set up it was set up property to ensure that it was transparent to the all coaches and parents. I hope this is still in place. Parents need to step up now and create a real boosters club for cheer to ensure this does not happen again. If parents do not want to step up and create a boosters club they will continue to have this problem. Without an official board and treasurer parents will never have full transparency.
Maybe KUSD could be more selective if they had an actual pool of qualified candidates (for any and all positions). They pay nothing! Not that good coaches or teachers do it for the money, it’s just a fact. Then add in shitty kids and asshole parents and it’s not worth it! This opinion is based on my own experience, not my opinion of the cheer team or anyone affiliated with the program. If you don’t have a coach, the alternative is no program. Again, I’m not justifying anything, just pointing out why the quality is questionable.
Agreed, being involved in kids sports with multiple kids it was very frustrating. I could post a long rant. There were great coaches and great parents and they would get burned out by the crappy coaches, kids and parents who were vocal bullies. Demanding parents who were vocal until it came time to volunteer or help pay for team dinners. Crappy kids with talent would be put on pedestals while the kids that had potential would be put on the back burner because coaches did not want to take the time to develop them or just wanted a win. Good coaches without wins would be put aside to JV teams or assistant coaches. There are still some good coaches still out there that do this because they love it and get paid pennies, but they do it for the right reasons and it’s a side job, not full time employment. I honestly do not know how they deal with the BS, but they have figured it out and we need more of them.
give me an F! Give me an I! Fired!
Unbelievable the amount of comments justifying this behavior. You are so wrong for leaving a 2 month old at cheer practice while you are gone. Furthermore, a selfish cunt to expect the assistant coach to watch him for 90 minutes. Probably not enough for child neglect, unfortunately.
It’s talking about her talking a trip to Disney, I know for a fact she was planning family trip to Disney back in October….
I heard she went to go get laid which would explain the amount of time. If true, she’s a terrible person