A mother from Quinte West is sounding the alarm to parents with special needs children.
Landyn Ferris was a 16-year-old Trenton High School student, who lived with Dravet Syndrome, which affects neurological development and can cause seizures.
According to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, patients face a 15% to 20% mortality rate due to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) among other issues.
Ferris died earlier this month (May 14, 2024) in a sensory room, which can assist special needs students, particularly those with limited communication skills.
Mother Brenda Davis says Landyn’s seizure activity increased when he was sleeping.
Staff at the school found Landyn unresponsive Tuesday, May 14.
Josh Nisker is representing the Davis family and spoke to Quinte News.
“My understanding is that the sensory room is only recently added to the school. He ought not to have been left to sleep alone, because sleep was a trigger for his seizures, and she had communicated that to the school.”
Nisker added the family will be seeking a civil lawsuit for negligence and police are investigating.
“Presumably there would be two issues here. One is a question of being able to hear him if he was in distress. Secondly, just a simple question of supervision and monitoring.”
Quinte News has reached out to the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board and received the following comment.
“We acknowledge that an emergency response occurred at Trenton High School for a student on May 14, 2024. Tragically, the student later passed away. The family is grieving, as are students, staff and the greater school community. Our hearts go out to everyone affected during this difficult time.
We have a Tragic Events Protocol that we follow, using it to inform and support the school community. Supports for students are in place at the school and will be available for as long as they are needed.
As with any tragic event in our schools, a comprehensive review of procedures and processes is underway.
Due to confidentiality and privacy legislation, we are unable to release any further information. We appreciate your understanding.”
Below is a social media post made by Brenda Davis.
“Before Monday morning. Before school starts for the week.If you have a child with disabilities and you have protocols in place… You NEED to review them. Right now. You need to make sure they are being adhered to.If you do not have protocols. Put some in place. Go over every detail. DO NOT assume they will comply or assume that common sense will be used.My boy died at school. Alone. In a room where none could hear him. Because they closed the sensory door (to the room) he was sleeping in. The room was separate from the main class room. Closing the door made the room sound proof. They only checked him every 15 mins when they were supposed to call 911 if he had a 5 min seizure. Or call me if he even twitches.How could they accomplish any of those things if he was in a sound proof room with the door closed for 15 min intervals?? They couldn’t. Never in a million years would I think they would close the door with him in a room like that ,and not have eyes and ears on my boy.It was common knowledge that he had seizures in his sleep.How would they even know? They don’t. Because they found him dead. Or at least that’s the story I’m getting so far. So far.I don’t even know now how long my baby was actually gone before anyone even noticed. All I can do is take their word for it.But I’m going to find out the truth. Bet on that.Check your babies. Check their school as many times as you need to. Make protocols. Go as far up the ladder as you need to go to make sure they are safe.”
The Hastings Prince Edward District School Board issued the following statement:
We acknowledge that an emergency response occurred at Trenton High School for a student on May 14, 2024. Tragically, the student later passed away. The family is grieving, as are students, staff and the greater school community. Our hearts go out to everyone affected during this difficult time.
We have a Tragic Events Protocol that we follow, using it to inform and support the school community. Supports for students are in place at the school and will be available for as long as they are needed.
As with any tragic event in our schools, a comprehensive review of procedures and processes is underway.
Due to confidentiality and privacy legislation, we are unable to release any further information. We appreciate your understanding.
