Teachers ignored a five year-old boy as he lay dying in a school playground because they thought he was just playing dead for fun, a lawsuit filed by the youngster’s parents claims.
Romeo Pierre Louis died at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford, Connecticut, in April 2022 after collapsing with a rare heart condition.
Last week, his grieving parents filed a lawsuit against the school, claiming the youngster may have survived had it not been for their negligence.
School friends of Romeo Pierre Louis attempted to alert their teachers at Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford, Connecticut, after the little boy fell to the ground while playing freeze tag.
He appeared motionless, but staff thought the pupil was just taking part in a game called playing dead, which was popular among kids there, it’s claimed.
Romeo suffered from a condition called Brugada syndrome, which can cause an irregular heartbeat. It can be treated in hospital. Romeo’s parents say he could have survived if given prompt treatment, although the school’s defense lawyers have yet to offer a counter-argument on the youngster’s chances of survival after collapsing.
Romeo’s autopsy revealed the cause of death was cardiac channelopathy brugada syndrome. The syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening cardiac condition that affects the normal electrical function of the heart
The parents of a five-year-old boy who died after collapsing on the playground of a school have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the school and its teachers
But that there was a critical nine minute delay between little Romeo collapsing and staff finally going over to check on him.
Only then was medical assistance summoned with 911 being called and an ambulance arriving more than half an hour later.
Earlier this week parents, D’Meza Shultz Pierre Louis and Chantel Pierre Louis, filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming staff at the school simply ignored the situation which happened last April.
The civil lawsuit claims three teachers who were out patrolling the playground believed Romeo to be simply ‘playing dead’ and as a result did not react fast enough to his medical emergency.
Five-year-old Romeo Pierre Louis fell to the ground while playing tag on the school playground
Despite his friends alerting teachers, his parents believe he was play-acting and that they did not react fast enough
The suit for more than $15,000 in damages holds the town of West Hartford and West Hartford Board of Education liable for the school staff’s inaction, suggesting that more timely intervention might have saved the boy’s life, however it is unclear if this is the case.
‘Romeo was allowed to collapse and lay on the ground for nearly 10 minutes without any assistance or medical treatment — despite several teachers … being in close proximity,’ the complaint states.
‘By the time the teachers … realized that Romeo was not playing dead and needed emergency medical treatment — it was too late, and Romeo’s life could no longer be saved,’ the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit contends that if employees followed the town’s own policies and procedures, ‘Romeo would have received the necessary medical attention he needed and would have survived.’
Surveillance video footage seen by the school shows a teacher approaching Romeo and checking for a pulse almost nine minutes after he fell to the ground.
In an incident report a teacher told police how ‘she was approached by students who stated to her that (Romeo) was acting strangely/playing funny/teasing.’
The report also stated ‘officers were advised that the child was found by other children whom stated they at first believed the child to be pretending to sleep. The children later suspected he was not pretending to sleep and was unconscious.’
The child was then carried from the playground into the nurse’s office where first aid was performed including CPR and the use of a defibrillator.
Around 35 minutes after the initial collapse an ambulance arrived and took Romeo to Connecticut Children’s Hospital where he died two days later.
Romeo’s father, D’Meza Shultz Pierre Louis, teared up as he told how the Lord’s Prayer was his son’s favorite prayer
Interim Superintendent Andrew Morrow said in a statement that Romeo’s death has ‘deeply affected’ the school community
An autopsy revealed the cause of death was cardiac channelopathy brugada syndrome.
The syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening cardiac condition that affects the normal electrical function of the heart.
It leads leads to abnormal heart rhythms, which can cause sudden cardiac arrest, particularly during sleep or while at rest.
People with Brugada syndrome may have no symptoms or experience symptoms such as fainting, palpitations, or cardiac arrest but may be diagnosed following a routine electrocardiogram (ECG) or after experiencing symptoms.
‘Romeo finally passed away due to heart complications. Some of his classmates and friends noticed his collapse and asked for help,’ a memorial website set up by the parents explains.
‘This is why we stand by the mantra, Listen to our children! We are heartbroken that because of such a delay in care after his fall, Romeo’s life was ultimately taken.
Tragically, Romeo collapsed and lay dying in playground for nine minutes because his parents thought he was playing game called ‘play dead’
‘All of our children deserve better. As a community, we must stand together to fight for their rights to safety, health, and care! We should be able to trust the individuals and institutions educating and caring for our children.’
Interim Superintendent Andrew Morrow said that Romeo’s death has ‘deeply affected’ the school community.
‘The death of a child is a devastating and unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Romeo Pierre Louis,’ Morrow said in a statement.
‘This tragedy has deeply affected the Charter Oak International Academy community, and the school district continues to make grief support and emotional assistance available to any student or educator who needs it.’
Earlier this week a tribute was held by Romeo’s parents, family and friends on the one year anniversary of his death.
Some carried signs with the little boy’s picture on while others held signs stating ‘Pay attention’ and ‘Listen to our children.’
‘We know that nothing will bring our son back,’ said Romeo’s mother, Chantel. ‘All we can do is keep his memory in our hearts and do what we can so this doesn’t happen to another child. Listen to our children.’