STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
The Barren County Family YMCA Foundation is no longer a part of the lawsuit stemming from the death of 34-year-old William “Tex” Bailey, who drowned during a Kentucky Fish and Wildlife water training exercise on Nov. 1, 2024.
The Barren County Family YMCA in Glasgow remains a defendant in the civil suit.
“The Foundation is essentially a fundraising entity that has no employees and is not involved in the day-to-day operation of the YMCA,” said Colton Givens, the attorney for the YMCA defendants. “Therefore, the Bailey Estate agreed to dismiss its claims against the Foundation, while proceeding with its claims against the local and national YMCA entities.”
In 2025, nearly a year after her son’s death, Bailey’s mother, Deborah Chance, filed a civil lawsuit alleging negligence led to the drowning, according to prior reporting and court records. According to court filings, the suit named three defendants: the Barren County Family YMCA, the Barren County Family YMCA Foundation and the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States.
On Feb. 19, Barren County Circuit Judge John Alexander dismissed the claims against the Barren County Family YMCA Foundation without prejudice, meaning the claims against that defendant could be refiled in the future.
Abigale Green, Chance’s attorney, told Glasgow News 1 the dismissal was agreed to “based on representations by the entity that it does not control in any way the local YMCA or its aquatic facility.”
Key Facts
– Barren County Family YMCA Foundation removed as defendant in drowning lawsuit
– Suit stems from November 1, 2024, death of recruit William “Tex” Bailey
– Bailey drowned during a water training exercise at the Barren County Family YMCA in Glasgow
– His mother, Deborah Chance, filed the negligence lawsuit nearly a year later
– Judge John Alexander dismissed the claims against the foundation without prejudice on Feb. 19
Michael Crimmins with Glasgow News 1 contributed to this reporting.
