53-year-old woman died after a 14-year-old student she tried to restrain for leaving the therapeutic school where she worked without permission kicked her in the chest
Massachusetts – In a tragic and deeply unsettling incident in Massachusetts, a 53-year-old woman, identified as A. Morrell, lost her life after being kicked in the chest by a 14-year-old student she was attempting to restrain for leaving a therapeutic school without permission. Morrell was working with vulnerable youth at a therapeutic school, a residential facility that provides comprehensive care for students with mental health challenges, behavioral struggles, and trauma histories. The facility’s mission is to help its residents develop self-regulation, build healthy relationships, and gain vocational and academic skills year-round.
The 14-year-old student, whose identity hasn’t been revealed publicly, has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, according to the District Attorney’s Office. She was arraigned Thursday morning in the juvenile court. The case, still under investigation, has raised painful questions about safety in therapeutic school environments and the emotional toll such work can take on those who choose it.
The deadly encounter occurred on the evening of Wednesday, just before 7 p.m., when the teenage student reportedly attempted to leave her dorm building without permission. Morrell, along with other staff, intervened in an effort to safely de-escalate the situation. During the restraint attempt, the 14-year-old kicked Morrell in the chest, causing her to collapse. Staff members at the facility immediately initiated CPR and called 911, trying desperately to save her life. Emergency medical personnel transported Morrell to a nearby hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries the following afternoon. The preliminary investigation revealed no weapons were involved. The fatal injury came solely from the impact of the student’s kick. Morrell’s sudden death shocked her coworkers and the wider community, who remembered her as someone who committed her life to supporting and guiding troubled youth.
In a statement issued after the incident, the therapeutic schoool where Morrel worked wrote that they are “deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Morrell. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Morrell’s family during this difficult time. Support services and resources are available to assist students and staff as we grieve this tragic loss.” For those who knew Morrell personally, the pain runs deep. Friends described her as “the most patient, kindest person” and someone who loved the young people she worked with unconditionally.
“She loved those girls,” said a friend, reflecting on Morrell’s deep commitment to the students in her care. Another friend, shared her heartbreak in a social media post: “I love you and can’t believe your life has been cut short. You will always be a big part of my life.” Family friend identified as A. Ferruche captured the emotional weight of the tragedy: “It’s a horrible accident. You get in a horrible fight, you don’t think you’re going to hit someone and they’re going to die right there — especially if you’re a kid. So, that child’s life is probably ruined. Her life is gone. It’s just a tragic situation.”
The student involved has not been publicly named due to her age. Prosecutors have yet to determine whether additional charges may be filed. Investigators are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the incident and how the school’s protocols were followed. As the community tries to recover from this devastating loss, the memory of Morrell—a mother, grandmother, and a steady presence in the lives of so many at-risk youth—lives on. Her death underscores both the nobility and the dangers of work that too often goes unseen, and the need for greater safeguards for those on the front lines of care.
