Massachusetts Honor Student Erin Cox Punished for Giving Drunken Friend a Ride Home
Erin Cox was demoted from her post as captain of the school's volleyball team.
Oct. 15, 2013— -- A Massachusetts high school senior was demoted from her post as captain of her school's volleyball team and was suspended for five games after she said she gave a drunken friend a ride home from a party.
Erin Cox, who dreams of playing volleyball in college, is being punished for doing the right thing, her mother told ABC News.
"She did what she thought was right, and I'm proud of her for that," Eleanor Cox said.
Earlier this month, Erin Cox, a student at North Andover High School, had finished work and went to pick up an intoxicated friend who needed a ride home from a party.
Minutes after Cox showed up at the party to give her friend a lift home, police showed up, according to the Cox family's attorney, Wendy Murphy.
Murphy said Cox's school, which has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking, punished Cox despite the fact that police confirmed she hadn't been drinking.
"By punishing Erin Cox, the North Andover School District sends a contrary and very dangerous message -- that young people are better off letting their friends drive drunk," Murphy said in a statement to ABC News.
Administrators at North Andover High School did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
Murphy, along with supporters across the country, is working to get the school to reverse its decision.
The hashtag #IStandWithErinCox has spread on Twitter, with people praising the teenager for her "responsibility and common sense."
"North Andover High should be ashamed for punishing that girl for making a responsible decision, one supporter tweeted.
"I commend her for being mature enough to help out a friend! And for her friend for being smart enough to call for help!" another tweeter said.