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by Mike_Beaudet from Dedham

Last Post 28 days, 7 hours Ago


A Mayor's Silence
Jun 26, 2008 | 4:23 PM
Category: News
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Five-year-old Darnell Cobb died back in January while riding on a school bus in Marlborough. He choked to death on a metal fastener that was part of a school project. At the time of the tragedy, it seemed like just an awful accident.

But, now FOX Undercover has obtained documents that show there were serious concerns about Darnell putting non-food items in his mouth. The records are from Rhode Island, where the boy used to live, but for some reason, not all of the records made it to Marlborough where Darnell was a kindergarten student. And there was no mention about Darnell putting objects in his mouth in his individualized education program (IEP) in Marlborough.

We tried to find out what Marlborough officials knew and what precautions they took. The school principal referred us to Mayor Nancy Stevens who would not even discuss it. So we decided to see if she'd change her mind if we showed up at her office. But Mayor Stevens still had absolutely nothing to say. Darnell Cobb's mother deserves some answers. At a minimum, she deserves some respect from a mayor who seems more concerned about a potential lawsuit than figuring out if Darnell's death could have been prevented.

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fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 26, 2008 | 7:47 PM

Call me dumb, call me stupid, call me whatever you want I just don't get what the mayor would have to do with this case. Very sad what happened to this young boy. What is the blame on Darnell's mother. Did she know he had a history of putting things in his mouth? Are they saying there should not have been a fastener on the school project? How far can you go to protect someone with this issue. Maybe Darnell should have been wearing a muzzle if the problem was so great.
sirB read my blog
Jun 26, 2008 | 8:25 PM

Sounds like he needed the Hannibal Lecter mask.

Sounds like the school principal is starting up a blame game and the Mayor has just cought the hot potato. Where will it land next? Probably in Rhode Island.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jun 26, 2008 | 10:02 PM

Here's my question: Why didn't Mike Beaudet ask why THE MOTHER didn't ensure this knowledge was passed along and taken seriously? Why are we blaming a Mayor when a parent wasn't aparently concerned enough to share information?

It's about personal responsibility first, not governmental responsibility.
sirB read my blog
Jun 26, 2008 | 10:08 PM

What Chip said.

The hot potato needs to land in the lap of the parents, and stay there. It sickens me to see how often the authorities that be are taking it upon themselves to do the parenting. Sad thing is, sometimes they have to.
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Jun 26, 2008 | 10:18 PM

Chip,

DITTO!!! This was her son. Did she share the info? That wouldn't be something I'd trust someone else to pass along. They have a verbal and written notice from me on file.
kcooksta
Jun 26, 2008 | 10:51 PM

I agree with all of you. I believe that the blame should not be put on the mayor, i also think its unfair to chase the mayor for comments, if she wants to say something to the mother, i do not think its right for the mayor to say something on camara, if she needs to say something she can call the mother or talk to her face to face.

i also want to know why the mother didnt bring it up to the school, I also believe she gets the copy of the IEP why didnt she have them put that on it, she should be involved with the IEP when its mades, so some blame could be on her.
But in reality maybe there shouldnt be blame on anyone, this was an accident. Sometime stuff happens. its sad to say this but its life.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jun 27, 2008 | 6:18 AM

June,

I go beyond a "verbal and written notice" (you gotta be in personnel!!!). I am on them until an appropriate Ed Plan or "504 Plan" is in place AND BEING ENTHUSIATICALLY FOLLOWED. Informing is not sufficient. ENSURING is...when a child is 5 or 6...

And the fact that I even need to say this saddens me...deeply saddens me.
Jenn_1973 read my blog
Jun 27, 2008 | 6:35 AM

to abovd comments. Yes the mother should have made sure the school knew and by that I don't mean just the teachers. As a parent you are your childs sole advocate and the best one. However, it is possible if things where in an IEP (individual education plan) she assumed this new school knew. Never assume anything is my answer to this. If this childs problems where that great perhaps he needed more specialized care and schooling sadly we won't know because at that age they are just figuring out what neede to be done. IEP's are largely guesswork and often take many meetings to give them the finess they need to make them work.Like parenting we constantly grow and change with our children as we figure out the things that work and don't work. I really don't know if there is blame to be placed here. Just a sad incident where a little boy is no longer here with his family.
LMB0910
Jun 27, 2008 | 7:47 AM

Unfortunately, I put the blame on the Mother also. My child has an IEP. In order to have an IEP in place a meeting is held with the school and the parent. The IEP is drawn up and a copy sent home for the parent to review/make changes, sign and return to the school. My question, How can she blame the school that his issue of putting non-food items in his mouth was not part of his IEP if she reviewed, signed & approved the plan? Wasn't it the Mothers responsibility to catch this missing information?
kcooksta
Jun 27, 2008 | 8:33 AM

amen lmb0910
Chopp143 read my blog view my photos
Jun 27, 2008 | 8:35 AM

It is always tragic when any young child dies. In this case this youngster had behavioral issues which unfortunately contributed to his premature death. Having said that, are we to expect that our public schools monitor continually every child's behavior?? I don't see how this is possible. You would have to assign someone to monitor the child every minute of the day to prevent this type of accident.
fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 27, 2008 | 8:36 AM

What I always find funny is when tough questions like these are asked and the Original writer doesn't follow up. MIKE?
Nightengale read my blog
Jun 27, 2008 | 9:37 AM

If the school records were not sent to Marlboro from Framingham and where-ever...I do think that mother should have made it her business to ensure the safety of her child.I do feel if there WAS sufficient knowledge on the schools part, then charge them with negligence...if not? Mom is the responsible person for NOT following up...Yes Mike I do agree the Mayor has a big part in it since the school is under her juristiction...I am wondering why this child was not in the Mother's custody prior to this incident...Is it that she was not capable or otherwise?
Mike_Beaudet read my blog
Jun 27, 2008 | 10:40 AM

I think there's probably plenty of blame to go around here. Nothing in this case is black and white. The mother says she was well aware of the problems and believed the school was well aware too.

As a reporter, I'm intrigued by the documents which show a problem had been clearly identified in Rhode Island and for whatever reason, all of those documents did not make it to Marlborough. There was a communication breakdown... and a little boy may have paid the ultimate price because of that.

As far as Marlborough's Mayor... we talked to her because that's who the school referred us to. I think she should have at least said something. No comment is not an acceptable response when we've uncovered new information about a tragic case.
mommyto4
Jun 27, 2008 | 11:07 AM

I do feel horible for this mother. It must be unbareable to loose a child and to something as preventable as this, but this is not the Mayor's or the schools or the bus driver's (or lack of bus monitor's) fault. This child had a very well documented history of this problem while in state custody!!! The child was returned to the mother and then she moved him to 2 different schools in 5 months time. It was now the mothers responsibility to make sure any and all documented/undocumented issues were addressed, forwarded and dealt with accordingly in his new school. It's her job to protect her child!!! If it was that bad, she should have been picking him up from school or arranging transportation to make sure he was monitored.
mommyto4
Jun 27, 2008 | 11:15 AM

What a terrible thing to happen but this is not the fault of the Mayor, school or bus driver (or lack of monitor). This child had a well documented case history while in state custody and this issue was identified. Then the boy was returned to his mother and moved to 2 different schools within 5 months time. It should have been her job as his mother to stand up and make sure any issues were passed along, advised of, documented and dealt with accordingly. She was supposed to do everything possible to protect her child. If you have a child with an issue like this, you visit the school, talk to the teachers, view the room, point out dangers and document everything to make sure you and the school are working together.
hinura
Jun 27, 2008 | 11:32 AM

As tragic as all of this is--the mother should have made sure that the putting things in the mouth thing went into the IEP. She saw a copy of it before she agreed to it, she needed to make sure serious concerns were addressed and were in the IEP. My sons go to that elementary school and one of them (who moves on to a new school this fall) chews on his shirt--I mentioned it as a concern and guess what it made it into the IEP (along with things the staff could and would do to discourage him from doing it).

Also the mayor is in somewhat of a tight spot with this whole issue. yes she is the mayor but she is also head of the school committe and might be prevented from saying anything.

Kane Elementary is a good school, sure it has issues as any school would, but I do not (for a second) doubt for the safety of my boys while they are there (or on the bus ride to/from).
redlolli
Jun 27, 2008 | 2:33 PM

It seems like the mother took it on good faith that old school [RI], would inform the new school [MA].....Shame on that mother.

I have a child with disabilities and every single year "I" must inform teachers and administrators of my child's situation.. MASS Schools documentation policy is very poor, Ed plan or not they loose so many reports its scarey.

My childs doctor had to send the same report THREE times. The blame here is widespread.

1) The mother should have followed up, Darnell was HER SON, he was HER RESPONSIBILITY.
2) The Education Coordinator for the Ed Plans ... This is the person that shoul dhave raised the flags to the teachers and appropriate admin.
3) The current teacher probably saw this issue with Darnell...Who did he/she inform?

Sadly Darnell paid the ultimate price for sloppy adults....

RIP Darnell!
mattatonic read my blog
Jun 27, 2008 | 3:30 PM

Sounds like a case of the sensationalistic media trying to stir the pot to me.

I am with Chip's sentiments here.

Since the media loves a good tip, here's one for you Mike: sensationalism is not equal to good journalism.
mother_bear
Jun 27, 2008 | 4:51 PM

OK, so we all feel for this mother. No one would wish something as horrible as this on anyone. the loss of a child is one of the most heartbreaking things a parent can go through but to try to place the blame on the schools or the mayor or the bus system is absolutely ridiculous. This was an accident. Plain and Simple. It was heartbreaking for everyone in that school (teachers, administration, children). Things like this just don't happen, or so we would like to think.
I just wish that the blame game would go away and this mother would just understand that putting the blame on someone else will not make this poor angel come back.
As much as you miss him, I am sure that the children, teachers and administration miss him. Work together. Become a family. Keep his spirit alive through his family and friends.
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Mike_Beaudet

I am FOX25's investigative reporter.

Member Since: 10/17/2006


 

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