STATEMENT FROM NEWTON SUPERINTENDENT SAMANTHA FUHREY
“There is no greater loss than the death of a child. I cannot imagine the tremendous grief experienced by this family. I know that there are no words that can ease their pain. The family has suffered a tremendous loss and out of respect for their privacy I again request that questions regarding this terrible accident be directed to law enforcement. We have and will continue to fully cooperate with them as they complete their investigation.
Right now our school system’s focus is to respect the grieving family during this difficult time and to provide support to our children, teachers, and school system staff, many of whom are struggling. I want to thank everyone who has stepped forward to offer assistance. The Covington/Newton County community has truly come together during this most difficult time.”
A day after an autopsy report found that a 5-year-old died of asphyxia after being caught in playground equipment, the school's top official expressed in a statement "tremendous grief" over the death of the kindergartner.
Andrea Tyrah Debruhl died Monday while playing on the school monkey bars at the Newton County Theme School at Ficquett, school district officials told Channel 2 Action News.
Officials told the station that 10 teachers and paraprofessionals were supervising the playground when they found Andrea. Other children were playing nearby when the accident happened.
Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey released a statement Thursday addressing the tragedy:
“There is no greater loss than the death of a child,” Fuhrey said. “I cannot imagine the tremendous grief experienced by this family. I know that there are no words that can ease their pain.”
Newton County Coroner Tommy Davis on Wednesday ruled the death as accidental, but said the investigation is not over as the coroner’s office wants to determine how the child got in the position she was in on the monkey bars.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates on this story.
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