The parents of a 5-year-old boy in Connecticut have filed a lawsuit claiming that their son died after falling on the playground at his elementary school because a teacher mistakenly believed he was pretending to be dead and failed to seek immediate medical assistance.
Romeo Pierre Louis collapsed while playing a game called “freeze tag” during recess at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford, Connecticut, on April 5, 2022. According to court documents, despite the presence of multiple teachers, Romeo lay on the ground for nearly 10 minutes without receiving any medical assistance.
It is alleged that students reported Romeo’s condition to teachers, but educators reportedly mistook him for playing a popular children’s game called “playing dead.” A police report confirmed that children do indeed play this game during recess.
According to court documents, by the time the teacher realized Romeo needed emergency medical assistance, it was already too late. Surveillance video provided by the school shows that a teacher did not approach Romeo or check his pulse until nearly nine minutes after he had fallen to the ground.
An incident report states that a teacher told police that students had informed her that Romeo was “acting strangely/joking around/being mischievous.” The report also notes that police were informed that the child had been found by other children, who initially thought he was pretending to be asleep but later suspected he was not.
When the teacher checked the boy, he had no pulse and was carried from the playground to the health room.Police said that emergency measures were performed at the scene, including chest compressions and the use of a defibrillator.
Oxygen tanks were used when police arrived. According to the police report, an ambulance arrived approximately 35 minutes after he initially collapsed and transported him to Connecticut Children’s Hospital. He died on April 7, 2022.
The state medical examiner determined that Romeo’s cause of death was “cardiac conduction disorder, Brugada syndrome (SCN5A gene mutation),” and the manner of death was listed as “natural causes,” meaning no further investigation will be conducted. Brugada syndrome is described as a rare but potentially life-threatening heart condition that affects the heart’s normal electrical function.
According to the information provided, Brugada syndrome can cause irregular heart rhythms, potentially leading to sudden cardiac arrest, especially during sleep or rest. Individuals with the syndrome may be asymptomatic or experience symptoms such as fainting, palpitations, or cardiac arrest, but may be diagnosed during routine electrocardiogram (ECG) tests or after symptoms arise.
Romeo’s parents, D’Meza Shultz Pierre Louis and Chantel Pierre Louis, were unaware of their son’s condition, according to their attorney. The attorney, Michael L. Chambers Jr., told The Washington Post that the child’s death was “completely preventable.”
“As parents who drop off their children at school every morning, we place a certain level of trust in teachers and school administrators,” Chambers said. “That trust has been completely shattered.”
The grieving parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the Connecticut Superior Court on April 5, 2023 (Wednesday), the one-year anniversary of their son’s death. The defendants in the lawsuit are the town of West Hartford and its Board of Education.
The lawsuit alleges that despite the presence of multiple teachers nearby, Romeo was allowed to lie on the ground for nearly 10 minutes without receiving any assistance or medical care. The lawsuit claims that if the teachers had acted sooner, Romeo’s life could have been saved.
“By the time the teachers… realized Romeo was not faking and needed emergency medical assistance, it was already too late to save his life,” the lawsuit states. The lawsuit asserts that if the employees had followed the town’s own policies and procedures, “Romeo could have received the necessary medical assistance and survived.”
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $15,000, alleging that the town of West Hartford and the West Hartford School District Board of Education are liable for the failure of school staff to take action, and suggesting that timely intervention might have saved the boy’s life, although it is currently unclear whether this is true.
Andrew Morrow, interim superintendent of West Hartford Public Schools, commented on the tragedy in a statement. “The death of a child is a shocking and unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Romeo Pierre Louis,” Morrow said.
Morrow added, “This tragedy has had a profound impact on the Chat Oak International Academy community, and the school district will continue to provide support and emotional assistance to any students or educators in need.” Due to the ongoing litigation, Morrow stated that the school district will not make any further comments at this time.
West Hartford City Legal Counsel Dallas Dodge also issued a statement, stating that due to ongoing legal proceedings, the town and the Board of Education will not make any further comments and will only extend their condolences to the family. Dodge stated that the town takes full responsibility for any negligence on the part of the Board of Education.
On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the day the lawsuit was filed, friends and family gathered at the playground where Romeo had fallen to hold a vigil. Attendees wore white clothing and held signs, some featuring Romeo’s photo, while others read “Please pay attention” and “Listen to our children.”
Romeo’s relatives shared fond memories of the young boy, describing him as a “boy full of love and care, who showed deep and sincere concern for others.” They stated that he loved God and his family. Relatives played videos of Romeo reciting Bible verses and the Lord’s Prayer.
His father, D’Meza Shultz Pierre Louis, led everyone in reciting the Lord’s Prayer, saying it was one of his son’s favorite recitations. “We know nothing can bring our son back. All we can do is keep his memory close to our hearts and do everything in our power to ensure such a tragedy never happens to another child,” Romeo’s mother, Chantel, said at the vigil, emphasizing the message: “Listen to our children.”
Their lawyer, Michael L. Chambers Jr., stated that the family had initially been reluctant to file a lawsuit but believed it was the only way to hold those responsible accountable. “They want to feel that their voices are heard and that someone will take responsibility,” Chambers said, “and that this will not happen again.”
The tragic death of this young boy and the subsequent litigation have highlighted critical issues in teacher response protocols and the severe consequences that can arise from misunderstanding a child’s distress. The family’s call to “listen to our children” serves as a wake-up call about the importance of prioritizing children’s needs in school environments.
This case remains a deeply painful event for the Chat Oak International Academy community and the town of West Hartford. The grief support services provided for students and staff underscore the far-reaching impact of this tragedy.
The incident serves as a stark example of how a seemingly innocent playground activity, when combined with a hidden medical condition, can have devastating consequences, particularly if signs of distress are misunderstood or overlooked.
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