East Central Reporter

Ricky Womack, an assistant high school football coach in Westville, Illinois, has withdrawn his petition for an Order of Protection against Alec Severins, a local government watchdog. The Vermilion County Circuit Court confirmed the voluntary dismissal in a docket entry this morning.

The court record states: “. . . the Court finds that Petitioner wishes to voluntarily dismiss the Petition for Order of Protection. …On the Petitioner’s motion, [the Court] dismisses the Order of Protection proceedings without prejudice.“

Previously, Womack filed for an Order of Protection against Severins, alleging that Severins had posted accusations online suggesting Womack committed a crime. Womack requested that the court prohibit further online postings or publications referencing him.

A preliminary emergency order was denied by a Vermilion County judge, and a hearing on a plenary order had been scheduled for August 20, 2025.

According to publicly available information and reporting from outlets such as “PlayersBio,” Womack was previously involved in a parentage lawsuit initiated by the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services. DNA testing confirmed with near certainty that he is the father of the child at issue.

School district records indicate that Womack was hired as an assistant football coach in August 2019; however, other evidence suggests he may have worked or volunteered with the school’s football program as early as 2016.

Reports from “Vermilion County Watchdog” and “PlayersBio” allege—based on analysis of photos and dates—that when the pregnancy occurred, the mother was 16 years old and a sophomore at Westville High School while Womack was 24 years old. During this period, he allegedly worked or volunteered with the school’s football team.

Womack was rehired as a volunteer assistant football coach at Westville High School in 2019 after the mother graduated from high school.

The names of both the child and mother have not been disclosed to protect their privacy. Requests for comment from Mr. Womack were not returned before publication.