Olympic athlete’s career and reputation ruined after she failed to scan her groceries at Walmart self-checkout

A former Olympic athleteHer life was turned upside down after she forgot to scan a few items on a Walmart self-service checkout.

Meaggan Pettipiece had accidentally failed to pay for $67 worth of groceries, which led to the authorities arriving. After an extensive search of her person, Pettipiece was arrested for theft, possession of marijuana and possession of a narcotic drug.

She has since lost her job and says her career and reputation are ruined.

An Olympian’s life has become a ‘living nightmare’ after he forgot to scan a few items at Walmart

Image credits: Koonsiri/stock.adobe.com (Not actual photo)

Pettipiece, 48, was checking out at a Walmart in Indiana on March 28, the National PostAccording to reports, the machine failed to scan a number of products it intended to process, including asparagus and ham.

She had paid for the other goods, which were worth $167.

Walmart security called police when they noticed the items hadn’t been scanned. Officers later found three disposable vape pens in her purse, along with two unopened blister packs of Zofran, an anti-nausea medication.

Pettipiece said the vapes contained no nicotine or THC and that the medication belonged to an assistant coach, who had asked her to put them in her bag before a softball game.

“We both forgot about them,” she said.

Image Credit: Valpo Athletics

Although the charges were dropped, Pettipiece — who represented Canada softball at the 2000 Sydney Games and was a reserve at the 2004 games — has since resigned as NCAA Division 1 softball coach, following a flurry of headlines following her arrest.

“It’s a mixed feeling,” the former Olympian said. “I’m happy, of course, that the charges have been dropped. The sad thing is the damage it’s done to my career.”

She continued: “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 hard.”

Image Credit: Meaggan Pettipiece

Her departure halts a career path that began with an All-American playing career and championship at the University of California of Pennsylvania. She also previously worked for colleges in Michigan and Ohio before becoming head coach at Valparaiso.

Although the charges have been dropped, Pettipiece fears the damage “cannot be undone.”

Footage: Porter County Jail

The former coach resigned of the Valparaiso Beacons softball team on April 1, less than a week after her arrest, but the news had already reached everyone.

“The softball community is a close-knit group and (the news) spread like wildfire,” she said.

“You really learn who the people are who really believe in you, trust you, and are truly a friend to you.”

The trial following her arrest was postponed once, with a hearing scheduled for later this month. However, her attorney filed a motion to dismiss shortly thereafter, including her account of the incident, evidence of her assistant’s prescription, and character references.

The request was granted and the case was dismissed on September 19.

Pettipiece said: “The hard part is, how do you get people to understand that you’re innocent? And this damage was done for something so ridiculous.”

Most of the internet is supporting Pettipiece, saying the arrest is an overreaction

Image Credits: Valpo Torch

Some people have experienced similar situations, but the consequences were not as serious.

“It happened to me once… but I certainly didn’t get arrested. I just didn’t see a jar of jam and didn’t scan it,” one person said. “They saw it at the door check and the clerk took it from me.”

They continued, “This sounds like a huge overage considering the amount of theft that actually occurs at Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens.”

Another shared a similar sentiment, saying, “I definitely hope she sues Walmart. The presumption should be in the customer’s favor when a store installs those cash registers and customers are forced to use them!”

Despite this unexpected derailment, Pettipiece’s bright spot is that she’s going home to her family

Image Credit: Valpo Athletics

While coaching at Valparaiso, the former Olympic athlete lived in Indiana while her family remained in Ohio. Now she can spend more time with her loved ones.

“I’m glad my family is back together,” she said. “We made sacrifices as a family so I could coach there and continue my coaching career.”

Now that the charges have been dropped, Pettipiece can return to teaching, but she may consider another path: as a college softball umpire instead of coaching.

“I’m not sure what the future holds. For now, I’m staying home and focusing on my kids. I’m eager to figure out which way I’m going.”

Some people on Facebook are divided over the arrest

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