An LSU student is speaking out after the university allowed a football player found responsible for raping her to stay enrolled and continue playing for the team following an internal investigation.
Kendall Danielle Francis was 18 years old when she says she was sexually assaulted at approximately 4:30 a.m. on October 18 by the unnamed football player. She went to the hospital afterward and had a rape kit completed but did not initially file a criminal complaint.
Francis instead pursued a Title IX complaint through the university. After a lengthy investigation LSU found the football player responsible and initially suspended him for two semesters. However on appeal that punishment was reduced to four semesters of probation allowing him to remain on campus and keep his spot on the football team.
Francis said she learned about the reduced punishment through an email she received while sitting in class at the start of the new semester. She said she had assumed the university would also pursue criminal charges as part of the process and was never informed that filing a Title IX complaint and filing a police report were two separate actions.
A spokesperson for Francis confirmed she was not told she could contact law enforcement independently to launch a criminal investigation. Francis has since moved her classes online to avoid encountering the player on campus.
Her TikTok video detailing the experience gained widespread attention and caught the eye of East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore who announced his office has opened a formal criminal investigation. Moore has requested all evidence records and reports from LSU university police the Baton Rouge Police Department and the coroner’s office.
Documents obtained by the Baton Rouge newspaper The Advocate from the Title IX proceedings reportedly confirm that the football player was found responsible and that his punishment was reduced on appeal. According to those documents the player admitted he did not ask for consent before intercourse and did not stop when Francis went silent.
LSU President Wade Rousse stated the university followed all proper policies and procedures throughout the Title IX process. Spokesperson Meg Casper Sunstrom noted that because no criminal complaint was filed by Francis at the time the matter was handled through the Title IX office as required by law.
Francis filed a report with LSU police this month in an effort to pursue criminal charges. She said she came forward publicly because she believes the university prioritizes protecting its athletes over the safety of its students.