School staffer dies following alleged assault by 14-year-old student in Massachusetts: DA
A staffer at a Massachusetts school for youths with mental health and behavioral issues died after a student allegedly kicked her in the chest, officials said.
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury in connection with the incident, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.
The "physical interaction" occurred Wednesday evening at Meadowridge Academy, a therapeutic residential school geared toward students ages 12 to 21 in rural Swansea, according to the district attorney's office.
Amy Morrell, 53, a direct care staff member at the school, and other staff were attempting to restrain the teen, who officials say had been trying to leave a dorm building without permission, when the student allegedly kicked her in the chest, according to the district attorney's office. "Shortly after being struck," Morrell collapsed, the office said in a statement on Thursday.
School staff attempted CPR and called 911, and Morrell was transported to an area hospital, the district attorney's office said.
Officers from the Swansea Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office responded to the school, officials said.
The student was charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury based on the initial investigation and arraigned Thursday morning in Fall River Juvenile Court, according to the district attorney's office.
Morrell, who had remained hospitalized, was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon, the district attorney's office said.
The investigation remains ongoing, officials said. ABC News reached out to the district attorney's office on Friday for any updates in the case but has not yet received a response.
Morrell's cause and manner of death have not been publicly released. A spokesperson for Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, which oversees the chief medical examiner's office, told ABC News on Friday that it does not have any information to share at this time regarding the case.
The school said it is "deeply saddened" by Morrell's death.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to Amy’s family during this difficult time," a school spokesperson said in a statement. "Support services and resources are available to assist students and staff as we grieve this tragic loss."
Andrew Ferruche, a friend of Morrell, expressed shock at her death in an interview with ABC Boston affiliate WCVB.
"I couldn't believe when I got the call today," he told the station on Thursday.
"It's just a tragic situation," he said.
Ferruche remembered Morrell, who was from Riverside, Rhode Island, as supportive and caring.
"She did tell me on more than one occasion she did love what she was doing," he told WCVB.
