A 15-year-old girl is in critical condition after falling from a window at Murrell Dobbins High School in North Philadelphia, with the circumstances that led to her fall still undisclosed, CBS News Philadelphia reports. Following the incident which took place Tuesday, the school was placed in lockdown, according to the School District of Philadelphia, and parents were given the opportunity to remove their children from the premises early.
The student was immediately rushed to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children for intensive care, her condition remains critical which has spurred an ongoing investigation by Philadelphia police to determine the details surrounding the tragedy, said Philly officials, with detectives collaborating closely with school officials to understand the sequences of events that unfolded leading to the student's dire state, this information was confirmed by FOX 29 News Philadelphia.
In response to the crisis, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr. made an announcement that mental health care and counseling support will be made available for students at the school, as classes will proceed as scheduled according to NBC Philadelphia. Watlington said, "Our hearts and prayers are with the student and her family, as well as her classmates and friends at Murrell Dobbins High School."
The Mayor of Philadelphia, Cherelle L. Parker, alongside Superintendent Watlington and high-ranking city officials, visited the hospitalized student and her family, extending their support during this difficult time and requesting media sensitivity for the ongoing investigation "until the police department can complete its investigation and share its findings with the family, the school district, and my office," Mayor Parker's request for a respectful approach by the media during the investigative process relayed by NBC Philadelphia. For those in need of assistance beyond the school's resources, the Office of Prevention and Intervention has deployed counselors and made available a helpline for additional support.
