Olympian’s life destroyed after she ‘forgot to pay for asparagus and ham’
A former Olympian has said her life was destroyed after being accused of theft when she forgot to scan a couple of items at a Walmart self-checkout machine.
Meaggan Pettipiece, 48, was arrested in Indiana on March 28 for theft, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance when a Walmart security guard reported that the Canadian athlete had not scanned asparagus and ham at the self-checkout.
Police searched the US college softball coach, and found three disposable vapes in her bag, along with two unopened blister packs containing anti-nausea medication.
She had paid for items worth $176 but police found another $67 of shopping that had not been scanned, including asparagus and ham.
Following her arrest, Pettipiece quit her job as head coach at Valparaiso University, Indiana and her reputation was left in ruins.
Speaking after the charges were dropped last week, Pettipiece said: ‘It is bittersweet. 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.
‘It’s been five months, a living nightmare. I lost my career, I lost my job, the life I was building and it’s been really difficult.’
The vapes and nausea medication were uncovered by police when she was searched.
The former athlete said the vapes did not contain nicotine or THC, and the medication was prescribed to an assistant coach who had asked her to hold them when they went to a softball game.
She told National Post. : ‘The softball community is a tightknit group and [news of my arrest] went through like wildfire.
‘You really do learn who the people are that really believe in you and trust you and are truly a friend for you.’
Pettipiece resigned from the Valparaiso Beacons softball team on April 1, less than a week after her arrest.
Court proceedings following her arrest were delayed, until her lawyers request for dismissal had been approved and the case was dropped on September 19.
The former head coach represented Canada in softball at the 2000 Sydney Games.
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