Special needs student from Villa Maria dies after accident

A special needs student from Villa Maria School in Timonium died Dec. 10 from injuries sustained Dec. 8 after he became involved in an altercation and jumped from a moving bus. The bus, operated by a company contracted by Baltimore City Schools, was transporting the boy from his Catholic Charities-run school to his home.

A Dec. 12 written statement from City Schools said the system is “profoundly saddened by the death.”

“We express our deepest sympathy to the student’s family, loved ones and school community,” the statement said. “We will work with Baltimore County authorities as they fully investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident, and respond as necessary after we know all the facts concerning the accident.”

Edie House-Foster, a spokesperson for the city schools, told The Catholic Review that the bus driver and two aides who worked for the MR Hopkins Transportation Services Inc. have been dismissed. The bus driver’s license has been disqualified, she said, and the aides had their certifications suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.

At a Catholic Charities’ Christmas concert Dec. 9, Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien joined William McCarthy Jr., executive director of Catholic Charities, in asking for prayers for the family. McCarthy declined to comment to The Catholic Review.

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.