Published: May 20, 2008 06:34 pm            

UPDATED: Coroner says bump did not lead to drowning

By JEREMY HALL

jeremy.hall@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Jefferson County Coroner Dr. Richard Garretson said Tuesday an autopsy revealed there was no connection with the drowning of a Casey Middle School student last week and a bump in the face he received moments earlier.

Javon Howard drowned while attending a school-sponsored party Friday at the Rend Lake Aquatics Center. Prior to going under the water, the pupil had been hit in the head by an elbow and examined by a lifeguard at the scene.

Howard later went under the water and was pulled out and given CPR before being transported to Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon, where he was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m.

Garretson said while results from some tests have not been received, he does not believe the bump to the face led to the drowning, as there were no indications of external bruising or internal affects of an impact.

“We couldn’t find any evidence of any trauma around his face,” Garretson said, adding that tests of the brain and internal organs also pointed to drowning as the sole cause of death.

“This looked very much like a fresh water drowning,” said Garretson. “We couldn’t find any evidence of any trauma.”

Illinois State Police officials are investigating the drowning, and Master Sgt. Stan Diggs said Tuesday the investigation is near completion.

“We should be wrapping our investigation [today],” Diggs said, adding that two more interviews are needed — neither of which are expected to produce major shifts in the investigation. “Once we conduct those two interviews, we will have conducted all of the interviews we feel we have needed with the investigation.”

Diggs said an investigation is needed to determine whether criminal negligence on the part of District 80 or Rend Lake College contributed to the death of Howard. He also said the ISP needed to determine whether the bump to the face was an accident or a malicious act.

At a meeting Tuesday, the District 80 Board of Education closed classes for Friday at Casey Middle School and authorized use of the school’s gymnasium for a memorial visitation that will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. The funeral will immediately follow the memorial.

Settle said on Monday he wants to assure that proper tribute be given to Howard before Casey’s graduation on Saturday. He added that the family of Howard also wanted to separate the graduation ceremony from the memorial as to not take away from the celebration of graduating students.

“They have been very cooperative, and we have been trying to cooperate with their needs and requests as well,” he said.

Settle told the board Tuesday night that counselors were on hand to meet with students who attended Friday’s party at RLC and again during a gathering Saturday morning at Casey Middle School. He said the school’s staff met prior to school on Monday, and an assembly was held with the entire student body.

Over the weekend, Settle sent out an e-mail to District 80 principals advising them to cancel any swimming activities planned for the remainder of the school year.

Settle said classes resumed as normal today at Casey, though counselors have remained available for those who need them. He added that Mt. Vernon Township High School Superintendent Terry Milt has assisted by volunteering his school’s counselors as well.

“It’s been a very difficult few days,” Settle said. “I’m extremely proud of the way the students have reacted. Our staff has been outstanding as well as volunteers who have helped us along the way. Terry Milt has been extremely generous in providing the support that we have needed.”

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.