PALM BAY, Fla. — A Brevard County family is demanding answers after a 120-pound video display board fell on a 5-year-old student at a Palm Bay elementary school Wednesday, killing him.<\/p>\n
Brevard Public Schools said the boy, who was identified by his family as Bellamy Dawkins-Morris, was seriously injured after the large display board fell on him at Riviera Elementary School around 11:36 a.m. School staff immediately called 911 and began emergency lifesaving measures before Bellamy was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center, where he later died.<\/p>\n
‘We need answers’ Family members spoke with WESH 2 just hours after Bellamy’s death, saying they are devastated and searching for answers.<\/p>\n
“We’re expecting him to be safe. He didn’t return to us,” Bellamy’s great-aunt, Miriam Rodriguez, said. “My emotions, my sadness has subsided, and I am angry. We need answers, and we need them immediately.”<\/p>\n
Investigation ongoing Palm Bay Police Deputy Chief Nicholas Szczepanski said the department’s Special Victims Unit and Major Case Unit are investigating.<\/p>\n
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody that was involved in this tragic accident,” Szczepanski said.<\/p>\n
Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell said he met with Bellamy’s family shortly after the child’s death.<\/p>\n
“We lost a life today, a precious young life. There are no words to describe that loss,” Rendell said. “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and I really couldn’t find the words to share with them my grief and the grief that all of us have.”<\/p>\n
According to Bellamy’s family, his mother was told he was moving the display board back and forth while other students were lining up before it tipped over and fell on him. The family said Bellamy had autism and questioned whether the display board was properly secured and whether enough supervision was provided.<\/p>\n
“He’s on the spectrum. When he sees things in motion, he’s gonna keep pushing it to keep it in motion. That’s just something that children on the spectrum do,” Miriam Rodriguez said. “Obviously, the monitor was not secure, and that’s a huge issue. That could have been anybody’s child. (…) There’s no reason that that is not bolted to the wall or however. There is no reason there should be any movement.”<\/p>\n