SWANSEA, MA - Authorities said a school's staff member died after an alleged assault involving a 14-year-old student at a residential therapeutic school for youths and young adults in Swansea, Massachusetts.
The victim, 53-year-old Amy Morrell, was kicked in the chest by the teen while trying to restrain her just before 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, at Meadowridge Academy, WCVB reported.
Police said Morrell collapsed to the floor, and staff immediately began CPR and called 911. Emergency medical services transported Morrell to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead the very next day. The teen who allegedly assaulted Morrell was supposedly trying to leave a dorm building without permission.
"This will be very fact-intensive. First of all, what were the circumstances around this? And, secondly, it will also depend on what the coroner says. What is the medical examiner going to say in the case of death?" legal analyst Martha Coakley said.
"Because the charge — as alleged — indicates, you know, no specific intent, obviously, and although we know that people can die from one punch or one kick, it doesn't happen that often. And so, until we know more of the facts, we can't really say if there will be upgraded charges," she added.
The teen has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III's office. She was arraigned in Fall River Juvenile Court on Thursday, October 16.
"It's a horrible accident. You get in a horrible fight, you don't think you're going to hit someone, and they're going to die right there, especially if you're a kid. So, that child's life is probably ruined. Her life is gone. It's just a tragic situation," family friend Andrew Ferruche said. "She did tell me she loved what she was doing."
A spokesperson from Meadowridge Academy addressed the tragedy. "The Meadowridge Academy community is deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Amy Morrell. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Amy's family during this difficult time. Support services and resources are available to assist students and staff as we grieve this tragic loss."
Meadowridge Academy is a comprehensive therapeutic residential school that serves students between the ages of 12 to 21 with "low to average high-cognitive functioning," who "may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility," per the school's website. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
The victim, 53-year-old Amy Morrell, was kicked in the chest by the teen while trying to restrain her just before 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, at Meadowridge Academy, WCVB reported.
Police said Morrell collapsed to the floor, and staff immediately began CPR and called 911. Emergency medical services transported Morrell to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead the very next day. The teen who allegedly assaulted Morrell was supposedly trying to leave a dorm building without permission.
"This will be very fact-intensive. First of all, what were the circumstances around this? And, secondly, it will also depend on what the coroner says. What is the medical examiner going to say in the case of death?" legal analyst Martha Coakley said.
"Because the charge — as alleged — indicates, you know, no specific intent, obviously, and although we know that people can die from one punch or one kick, it doesn't happen that often. And so, until we know more of the facts, we can't really say if there will be upgraded charges," she added.
The teen has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III's office. She was arraigned in Fall River Juvenile Court on Thursday, October 16.
"It's a horrible accident. You get in a horrible fight, you don't think you're going to hit someone, and they're going to die right there, especially if you're a kid. So, that child's life is probably ruined. Her life is gone. It's just a tragic situation," family friend Andrew Ferruche said. "She did tell me she loved what she was doing."
A spokesperson from Meadowridge Academy addressed the tragedy. "The Meadowridge Academy community is deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Amy Morrell. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Amy's family during this difficult time. Support services and resources are available to assist students and staff as we grieve this tragic loss."
Meadowridge Academy is a comprehensive therapeutic residential school that serves students between the ages of 12 to 21 with "low to average high-cognitive functioning," who "may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility," per the school's website. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
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Comments
2025-10-19T17:26-0400 | Comment by: Phil
"Accident" This was no accident, it was violent attack with willful disgard for human life. A learning disability is no excuse for taking someone's life.