— Hammonton Public Schools says Cheryl Richardson-Wagner was never employed by the district and was not fired after a viral incident at LoanDepot Park in which a woman grabbed a home run ball hit by Harrison Bader from a child in the stands.
- Incident occurred during the Phillies vs. Marlins game when Harrison Bader’s fourth-inning home run landed in the crowd.
- A man retrieved the ball and handed it to his son before a woman later took it, sparking online outrage.
- Social media users labeled the woman the “Phillies Karen” and circulated profiles linking the incident to Cheryl Richardson-Wagner.
- Hammonton Public Schools issued a statement saying the woman is not, and never has been, a district employee.
- Richardson-Wagner publicly denied involvement and asked for corrections after being misidentified online.
- Multiple trending profiles appear to have contributed to the mistaken identity; the real person involved has not been confirmed.
Verified Facts
On September 7, 2025, during the Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins game at LoanDepot Park, outfielder Harrison Bader hit a home run that landed in the stands. A father located the ball and gave it to his son. Video circulating online showed a woman taking the ball from the child, which prompted widespread criticism.
In the days after the clip went viral, social media users sought to identify the woman, who became known colloquially as the “Phillies Karen.” Two separate profiles using the name Cheryl Richardson-Wagner were among those that trended and were shared as possible matches.
Hammonton Public Schools, based in Hammonton, New Jersey, released a statement denying any employment connection to the person being identified online and rejecting reports that anyone had been fired in relation to the incident.
Richardson-Wagner responded on Facebook to the online attention, saying she was not involved in the LoanDepot Park incident, and requested an apology from people who had associated her with the footage.
Context & Impact
Viral sports clips frequently prompt rapid attempts to identify participants, sometimes resulting in mistaken identity and online harassment. This episode follows that pattern: an emotionally charged clip led to speculation and the sharing of personal profiles.
The school district’s swift denial aimed to correct the public record and limit harm to an unrelated community member. Misidentification can carry reputational and employment risks even when official ties do not exist.
Possible impacts include:
- Continued online search for the woman seen in the video.
- Calls for platforms and users to verify identities before sharing personal information.
- Heightened caution from employers and community groups when responding to viral allegations.
Official Statements
The woman identified on social media as the “Phillies Karen” is not, and has never been, an employee of Hammonton Public Schools. Reports indicating otherwise are incorrect.
Hammonton Public Schools
Richardson-Wagner denied being the person in the video, noting she is not involved and asking for an apology from those who misidentified her online.
Public post attributed to Cheryl Richardson-Wagner
Unconfirmed
- The true identity of the woman who took the ball has not been independently verified in public records or by authorities.
- Claims that any specific person (beyond what the Hammonton district addressed) has been fired in connection with the incident remain unproven.
- Attribution of individual social media profiles to the person in the footage is unresolved.
Bottom Line
The Hammonton Public Schools statement closes the specific claim that Cheryl Richardson-Wagner was employed by—and terminated from—the district. Social media misidentification continues to complicate efforts to identify the person who took the ball; further verification by news organizations or officials is needed before assigning responsibility.