School Employee Dies After Being ‘Kicked in the Chest’ by 14-Year-Old Student

Amy Morrell, 53, worked at a school for students who “may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility”

A Massachusetts school staffer has died after she was allegedly 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 ABC News, WCVB-5 and The New York Times reported.

The direct care staffer was employed at rural Swansea’s Meadowridge Academy, a comprehensive therapeutic residential school serving students between the ages of 12 to 21 with “low to average to high cognitive functioning,” who “may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility,” per the school’s website.

PEOPLE did not immediately receive a response from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office or Meadowridge Academy.

Other school employees were reportedly trying to stop the student from attempting to leave her dorm without permission Wednesday evening when Morrell, authorities say, “was kicked in the chest by the juvenile.”

“Shortly after being struck, the victim collapsed,” The Times reported, citing Bristol County district attorney, Thomas M. Quinn III.

Nearby staff began administering CPR and called 911.

Once paramedics arrived, Morrell was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The teen has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury in connection with Morrell’s death. She was arraigned on Thursday in the Fall River Juvenile Court, according to The New York Times.

Jennie DunKley, an advocate for special education students and their families, told WCVB-5 she hopes the tragedy will shed light on ways to continue care for individuals with special needs.

“I want to focus on implementing meaningful strategies and tools that prevent escalation. The best way to prevent restraint and seclusion is to not have a reason to even consider it,” she told the news station.

In a statement obtained by The Times, the Justice Resource Institute, an organization that partners with the school, said, “The Meadowridge Academy community is deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Amy Morrell.”

The investigation remains ongoing, per the Times.

Amy Morrell, 53, worked at a school for students who “may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility”

A Massachusetts school staffer has died after she was allegedly 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 ABC News, WCVB-5 and The New York Times reported.

The direct care staffer was employed at rural Swansea’s Meadowridge Academy, a comprehensive therapeutic residential school serving students between the ages of 12 to 21 with “low to average to high cognitive functioning,” who “may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility,” per the school’s website.

PEOPLE did not immediately receive a response from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office or Meadowridge Academy.

Other school employees were reportedly trying to stop the student from attempting to leave her dorm without permission Wednesday evening when Morrell, authorities say, “was kicked in the chest by the juvenile.”

“Shortly after being struck, the victim collapsed,” The Times reported, citing Bristol County district attorney, Thomas M. Quinn III.

Nearby staff began administering CPR and called 911.

Once paramedics arrived, Morrell was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The teen has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury in connection with Morrell’s death. She was arraigned on Thursday in the Fall River Juvenile Court, according to The New York Times.

Jennie DunKley, an advocate for special education students and their families, told WCVB-5 she hopes the tragedy will shed light on ways to continue care for individuals with special needs.

“I want to focus on implementing meaningful strategies and tools that prevent escalation. The best way to prevent restraint and seclusion is to not have a reason to even consider it,” she told the news station.

In a statement obtained by The Times, the Justice Resource Institute, an organization that partners with the school, said, “The Meadowridge Academy community is deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Amy Morrell.”

The investigation remains ongoing, per the Times.