Vandergriff employees on leave following student death

Vandergriff Elementary School in Fayetteville; photographed on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.
Vandergriff Elementary School in Fayetteville; photographed on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Five Vandergriff Elementary staff members are on paid leave pending the outcome of the school district's investigation of the recent death of a 6-year-old pupil, school district spokesman Alan Wilbourn said.

The staff members are "paraprofessionals," Wilbourn said.

Adron Benton, who attended Vandergriff Elementary School, went missing March 7 from the school playground and was found unresponsive in the swimming pool of a nearby home. He was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center and then to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, where he died Wednesday, officials have said.

Fayetteville emergency officials responded to two related calls about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Superintendent Matthew Wendt last week said teacher's aides routinely supervise recess and were on duty Tuesday, Wendt said. They have training, including in working with students, managing behavior and in CPR.

Police continue to investigate and are awaiting results of an autopsy by the Arkansas State Crime Lab, Fayetteville Sgt. Craig Stout said.

School officials also continue to investigate, Wilbourn said.

The Vandergriff Parent Teacher Organization has started a GoFundMe page to assist Adron's family and to build a memorial at the school for him.

NW News on 03/14/2017

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