By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
A Warren County judge will preside over a civil lawsuit involving the Barren County Family YMCA.
In an Order or Recusal, dated March 6, Barren County Circuit Court Judge John Alexander disqualified himself as his wife is a part-time employee of the YMCA.
“It is unclear whether she has any knowledge that would cause a party to call her as a witness, but that possibility cannot be discounted,” the order stated. “In any event, from an objective standpoint, a reasonable observer could question the impartiality of a decisionmaker under those circumstances. Therefore, the Court will recuse and certify the need for a special judge to be appointed for this case.”
John R. Grise, who is the regular judge of the eighth judicial circuit, was appointed “to preside in this matter until conclusion or further order,” according to a court order. Grise scheduled a hearing related to a motion to dismiss the YMCA of the USA as a defendant for May 5 at 2 p.m. in Bowling Green.
This lawsuit stems from the death of Fish and Wildlife recruit William “Tex” Bailey, who suffered a “medical emergency” while participating in Fish and Wildlife water training at the YMCA on Nov. 1, 2024.
Deborah Chance, the mother and administrator of William Bailey’s estate, filed the lawsuit against 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 Oct. 29, 2025. The YMCA foundation was dismissed as a defendant on Feb. 19.
The Barren County Family YMCA in Glasgow remains a defendant in the civil suit.
Key Facts
– Barren Circuit Judge John Alexander recused himself from the Barren County Family YMCA civil lawsuit on March 6
– Alexander cited his wife’s part-time employment with the YMCA as a reason for stepping aside
– Warren County Judge John R. Grise was appointed to preside over the case
– Grise scheduled a May 5 hearing in Bowling Green on a motion to dismiss YMCA of the USA as a defendant
– The lawsuit stems from the Nov. 1, 2024, death of Fish and Wildlife recruit William “Tex” Bailey during water training at the YMCA
– The Barren County Family YMCA remains a defendant; the YMCA foundation was dismissed Feb. 19, 2026
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