A Massachusetts school staff member has died after authorities say she was fatally kicked in the chest by a 14-year-old student.
Amy Morrell, 53, of Riverside, R.I., was identified as the victim of the Wednesday, Oct. 15 incident, according to reports from ABC News, WCVB-5, and The New York Times.
Morrell worked as a direct care staffer at Meadowridge Academy in Swansea — a therapeutic residential school serving students ages 12 to 21 with a range of cognitive and medical needs, per the school’s website.
Other school employees were reportedly trying to stop the student from leaving her dorm without permission when, according to authorities, the teen “kicked [Morrell] in the chest.”
“Shortly after being struck, the victim collapsed,” the Bristol County District Attorney, Thomas M. Quinn III, told The Times.
Staff immediately began performing CPR and called 911. Morrell was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead on Thursday, Oct. 16.
The 14-year-old has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury in connection with Morrell’s death and was arraigned Thursday in Fall River Juvenile Court, according to The Times.
Jennie DunKley, an advocate for special education students and their families, told WCVB-5 she hopes the tragedy sparks meaningful change in how schools support and care for children with special needs.
“I want to focus on implementing meaningful strategies and tools that prevent escalation,” DunKley said. “The best way to prevent restraint and seclusion is to not have a reason to even consider it.”
In a statement obtained by The Times, the Justice Resource Institute — which partners with Meadowridge Academy — said, “The Meadowridge Academy community is deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Amy Morrell.”
The investigation remains ongoing, according to The Times.
