After a fatal event involving a 14-year-old student at Meadowridge Academy in Swansea, Massachusetts, a 53-year-old residential staff member was declared deceased on Thursday.
At around 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday, the kid tried to leave a dorm without authorization, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. The teenager allegedly kicked the staffer hard in the chest during the subsequent argument.
The worker, identified as Amy Morrell, passed out at the scene of the attack; Swansea EMS medical staff took her to a local hospital, where she spent the night in critical condition. An official cause of death has not yet been announced, however doctors confirmed her death the next day.
The incident took place at Meadowridge Academy, a residential therapeutic school for adolescents with behavioral and trauma-related problems who range in age from 12 to 21. The assault and death are being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement. The 14-year-old was arraigned in Fall River Juvenile Court on charges of assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
The academy responded with a statement expressing its profound sadness and confirming that staff and students impacted by the tragedy can access counseling and support services. The school also cited earlier safety issues, such as an assessment conducted by the Massachusetts Disability Law Center from 2014 to 2016 that mentioned abuse and neglect and acknowledged improved procedures, but yet drew more attention from authorities.