Delhi coach faces charges after allegedly delivering 'birthday punches'

DELHI -- A girls basketball coach at Delhi High School has been removed from the job and could face criminal charges after hitting one of her players several times.

The 22-year-old female junior varsity coach, whose name is being withheld because she hasn’t been arrested, hit her player in the locker room Jan. 24 after finding out it was the girl’s birthday, said deputy Tom MacKenzie, Merced sheriff’s spokesman.

The coach “decided to celebrate” by giving the 16-year-old, 16 “birthday punches” on her arm, with the rest of the team watching, MacKenzie said.

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