Team USA Paintball player fired over TikTok video of her shaming child with COVID

A Team USA Paintball player is out of a job after making disparaging comments on TikTok about a child hospitalized with COVID-19.

In a now-deleted post, Jessica Maiolo stood in front of a television news segment showing a teenager hospitalized with COVID-19, CBS reported.

"Ma'am, your kid does not need a COVID shot. Your kid needs a (expletive) treadmill," Maiolo said, according to CBS. "That's what he needs." 

The comments come at a time when COVID-19 cases among children have increased at an alarming rate, with 94,000 cases in the last week of July.

The fallout for Maiolo's remarks led to her dismissal from Team USA Paintball, which released a statement Monday announcing it had investigated the video and removed Maiolo from the team indefinitely.

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"Team USA Paintball has no tolerance for discrimination or bullying of any kind. It has always been our highest priority to represent our country with integrity and respect," the statement read.

"To the family that did not need, ask or ever deserve to be put in this position – we thank you for allowing us to show where we stand."

USA TODAY has reached out to Maiolo for comment.

Maiolo issued a video statement on her Instagram account with a caption that read, "I am deeply sorry for any attention I have brought to this family." 

The video statement depicts scrolling text where Maiolo claims her teammates and sponsors have been targeted "by the backlash of my actions."

Maiolo's former teammate, Andrea Martinez, also spoke out on the incident in an Instagram post. 

"I want to say unequivocally that I do not condone or support the statements and views that have been made, as they do not align with my values and character in any way," she wrote.

"I have dedicated my life to helping other people and fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable in our communities."

Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.