CA - School Staff members charged in death of autistic student, 13, Max Benson, Nov 2018

[Swirlz]

Three School Staff Members Charged Over Autistic Student's Death | News Radio 810 & 103.1 WGY

Three former staff members of a now-closed special needs school in California have been charged in connection with the death of a 13-year-old boy who was autistic. Max Benson died in November 2018 after staff members at Guiding Hands School restrained him following a violent outburst.

Cindy Keller, the school’s executive director, Staranne Meyers, the school's principal, and Kimberly Wohlwend, a special-education teacher, were each charged with felony involuntary manslaughter.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial in boy's death may be avoided as offer mulled

A trial may not be necessary in the death of a 13-year-old boy who became unresponsive when placed under restraint at a private school in El Dorado Hills two years ago, after a, El Dorado County Superior Court judge learned this week there may be a plea arrangement pending.

Three defendants showed up Aug. 25 in Judge Mark Ralphs’ courtroom, represented by Sacramento attorney Linda Parisi who told the court her clients and El Dorado County deputy district attorney Lisette Suder have been in talks regarding a possible settling of the matter.

Defendants Cindy Keller, Staranne Meyers and Kimberly Wohlwend face charges of involuntary manslaughter in the Nov. 28, 2018, death of Max Benson, a student who reportedly had been restrained during a violent autistic episode at the K-12th grade Guiding Hands School two days prior to his dying at an area hospital.

In court Tuesday, prosecutor Suder appeared on screen through Zoom and told the court that yes, as attorney Parisi indicated, with time for more discussion there very well could be an agreement reached that would negate the need for a trial.

Saying that discussions have been ongoing if sporadic, Suder indicated that the DA’s Office is comfortable “leaving the offer open” until Oct. 13. Defendants are expected to let the court know that day whether they agree to what the DA’s Office finds suitable in the disposition of the case.

Deputy DA Suder declined to state any details regarding the offer.

The Oct. 13 appearance in Dept. 7 of Superior Court on Fair Lane in Placerville is set for 1 p.m.

In addition to the criminal case, a private attorney has filed a civil action on behalf of Max Benson’s family.

 

[YaYa_521]

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article246350025.html
Oct. 13, 2020
SBM
The case against the three staffers at the now-closed Guiding Hands School — school site administrator Cindy Keller, Guiding Hands principal Staranne Meyers and Kimberly Wohlwend, the teacher accused of being among those who restrained 13-year-old Max Benson — will move to a preliminary hearing on Jan. 22 to determine whether it will be moved to trial.

 

[MajorHoople]

3 former school employees were indicted in the 2018 death of an autistic teen

Max Benson, 13, died two days after being restrained by school staff, according to officials.

www.abc10.com

posted by abc10- July 22, 2022

"A California grand jury has indicted three former school employees and the now-shuttered Guiding Hands School in the death of 13-year-old student Max Benson.

Benson was a student with autism who attended Guiding Hands School. He died on Nov. 28, 2018, days after being restrained by a teacher at the school when Benson became violent, school officials said.

The now-shuttered Guiding Hands School, its former Executive Director Cindy Keller, Principal Staranne Meyers, and Special Education Teacher Kimberly Wohlwend have each been indicted on a single count of involuntary manslaughter by the El Dorado County Grand Jury, according to court documents."

 

[Springrain]

As a teacher, I'm left to wonder - WHAT HAPPENED HERE????

 

[ifindedout]

Death of Max Benson - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org