A former Olympic athlete’s life has been “a living nightmare” since she says she by chance didn't 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 University softball crew when she was scanning her groceries at a Walmart self-checkout machine in Indiana on March 28, based on the National Post.
The machine reportedly didn't scan the asparagus and ham that Pettipiece meant to buy.
Walmart safety noticed that she didn't scan the objects — price 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.
During her arrest, police discovered she had three disposable vapes and two unopened blister packs containing the anti-nausea remedy Zofran in her purse.
The former softball participant — who performed outfield for the Canadian nationwide crew in 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 crew on April 1 following a firestorm of headlines that swept by way of the Hoosier State after her arrest.
The Ontario native mentioned the vapes didn't comprise nicotine or THC.
The anti-nausea tablets 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 both forgot about them,” the former All-American softball participant instructed the outlet.
Earlier this month, Pettipiece’s lawyer submitted an software for dismissal that included her account of the incident, proof of her assistant’s prescription, and character reference letters, based on the outlet.
After studying the applying, justice officers dropped the costs towards the former athlete on Sept. 19.
However, the harm brought on by the incident “changed everything” for Pettipiece’s profession.
“It is bittersweet,” she instructed National Post. “I’m happy, obviously, the charges were dismissed. The sad part is the damage it did to my career. It has changed everything in my life.”
Pettipiece mentioned her resignation as head coach of the Division 1 softball program 5 months in the past has been “a living nightmare.”
“I lost my career, I lost my job, the life I was building and it’s been really difficult,” Pettipiece mentioned.
Along together with her profession derailment, the California University of Pennsylvania alumni mentioned the harm to her status has been equally heartbreaking.
“The softball community is a tightknit group and it (the news) went through like wildfire,” Pettipiece instructed the outlet.
“You really do learn who the people are that really believe in you and trust you and are truly a friend for you,” Pettipiece mentioned.
Pettipiece is now dwelling in Ohio together with her household.
“I’m happy my family’s all back together. We sacrificed as a family for me to be there coaching and continuing my coaching career,” she mentioned.
Though the costs towards her have been dismissed, she nonetheless fears the harm “can’t be reversed.”
“The tough thing is, how do you get out to people that you are innocent? And this damage was done for something so ridiculous,” Pettipiece instructed the outlet.
“I’m not sure of the future. For now, I’m going to stay at home and focus on my kids. I’d like to figure out which direction I’m going to go in.”
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