GRAYS HARBOR, Wash. — Amber Lee says she and her children are being harassed at YMCA of Grays Harbor events by her ex-husband, and that staff have failed to protect her family despite repeated complaints to local authorities and the Quinault Indian Nation.
Lee says a court granted her an anti-harassment order during a high-conflict divorce; though that order expired last year, she says the harassment continued.
She describes multiple incidents at youth sports where her ex, Jesse, confronted her, demanded access to the children, and created scenes in public spaces meant to be safe for families.
Last year, Lee says, Jesse followed her and the boys into a YMCA gym during a niece’s basketball game, confronted her, and “tried to intimidate me.”
She says staff told her there was “nothing they could do.” On Nov. 11, Lee says the behavior escalated after her son’s game.
Jesse allegedly refused to let her leave with the children even though her court-ordered parenting time had begun and she had confirmed the exchange by text.
Lee says he pinched their 3-year-old hard enough to leave a red mark; authorities were called, and Lee says the YMCA has surveillance footage.
Lee and family members asked YMCA administrators to bar Jesse from coaching or volunteering.
She says staff told them they “didn’t see anything” and insisted he was “only a parent,” even though Lee says he has represented himself as a coach and worked with children on the team.
Great Support from the Community
Lee also says multiple complaints have been filed with the Quinault Indian Nation and local police.
Community reaction to Lee’s public post was overwhelmingly supportive. Autumn Causey wrote, “You and the boys deserve to feel safe while attending their activities.”
Tara Lundquist McDougall urged Lee to seek a new anti-harassment order. Several commenters urged documentation and legal steps, as one wrote, “journal every encounter,” while others offered prayers and protection.
One commenter, Jadyn Green, posted an allegation about Jesse’s behavior when she was underage; that claim was shared on the thread and has not been independently verified.
A smaller group of commenters pushed for mediation or suggested both parents bear responsibility; Teleshia Marie Francis urged counseling and noted seeing civil interactions in other settings.
Lee framed the issue broadly: “Men who mentally and emotionally abuse women…are vile and cowardly,” she wrote.
The mother also warned that people who defend abusers “are part of the problem.”
She said her request is simple: let her children play sports in a safe, neutral environment and keep her alleged abuser from positions of authority over kids.
