Amy Morrell: Staffer at Meadowridge Academy dies after allegedly being kicked by student in Swansea, Massachusetts
A worker at a residential therapeutic school in Swansea, Massachusetts has died after she was allegedly assaulted by a student on Wednesday night.
Meadowridge Academy staff member Amy Morrell, 53, of Riverside, Rhode Island, was allegedly kicked in the chest by a 14-year-old female student resident.
The student was allegedly attempting to leave a dorm building without permission when the physical interaction occurred at approximately 6:55 p.m., according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.
Morrell and other staff were attempting to restrain the girl, according to investigators. Shortly after being kicked, Morrell collapsed. Other staff members began CPR and called 911.
Swansea Police along with the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office responded to the school.
Morrell was taken to a nearby hospital overnight and was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon.
Friends and family of Morrell were shocked to hear the news.
"I'm upset, obviously. It just keeps hitting me," said Andrew Ferruche, a close family friend, adding she truly loved her job at the school despite its challenges.
"I still expect to get a text from her," Mel Lynch said Friday. Lynch said that she had just seen Morrell for breakfast on Monday.
Morrell's loved ones described her as "the most patient, kindest person." They said that she was very funny and was "the life of the party."
"She definitely cheered people up on a regular basis," Ferruche said.
Lynch explained that she had met Morrell at a previous job and had stayed in touch. She said that Morrell loved working at the school, having found her calling. Ferruche agreed, saying that Morrell thought that job was "rewarding."
"She loved those girls," Lynch said. She added that Morrell was an only child who was "her parents' world."
"A real loss. A loss for that school, a loss for us, and I think of her parents," she said.
Ferruche shared a text message he received from Morrell where she wrote, "Being kind to other people definitely makes me feel better...My job is helping kids with troubles so it's pretty rewarding."
But both Lynch and Ferruche are left with questions about how this could've happened.
"If this girl was that violent, what was she doing in that setting with other kids?" she asked.
"How many staff members have been hit in the last two weeks alone? That should be the question asked of them," Ferruche said. "And I guarantee it has been multiple people who have been hit by this same girl."
Ferruche said he blames the school for the incident and hopes that they institute change so that something like this never happens again.
"This school should have had way better safety protocols. I don't know if they locked the doors. I don't know why Amy had to tackle her to get her, stop her from leaving," Ferruche said.
"Based upon the initial investigation, the juvenile was charged with Assault and Battery causing Serious Bodily Injury," the district attorney's office said. The girl, who has not been identified, was arraigned Thursday in Fall River Juvenile Court. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
"The Meadowridge Academy community is deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Amy Morrell," the school said in a statement Thursday night. "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."
According to data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in the 2023-24 school year, staffers at Meadowridge restrained students 23 times, none resulting in injuries.
A Disability Law Center investigation from 2018 shows a number of police incidents at the school, more than 140 between 2014 and 2016. A high number of calls were for runaways and assaults.
Meadowridge Academy is located on Stevens Road in Swansea. According to its website, it is a "therapeutic residential school providing comprehensive treatment to youth and young adults with mental health issues, behavioral difficulties, and complex trauma histories."
Swansea is a town in southeastern Massachusetts, about 50 miles from Boston.
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