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Apr 10, 2008 9:07 pm US/Eastern
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Parents Cope After Falling Tree Branch Kills Son
SEVERN, Md. (WJZ) ―
A dead limb falling from a tree kills a first grader in Anne Arundel County.
Suzanne Collins reports now his parents are asking how he could die so suddenly in such a freak accident.
The couple is coping with a death all parents dread--the sudden, shocking death of a child.
Their son Steven, 7, was killed when a falling tree limb landed on his head last night in their backyard.
"I never dreamed of losing one of my kids. It never occurs to you. You think you're going to bring them into this world, and they're going to live a long and happy life. They're going to bury you before you bury them. It didn't work out that way," said Jennifer Titchenell, the victim's mother.
The parents were in the backyard as the father worked on his truck when they both witnessed the freak accident.
"I heard a snap. I happen to look up and out of the corner of my eye, I seen it hit him, and he fell over like a sack of potatoes. I ran over, and I was like 'honey, Steven, Steven,'" said Ron Titchenell, the victim's father.
The parents and then paramedics tried to save the first grader to no avail.
At Richard Henry Lee Elementary School in Glen Burnie, Steven's classmates received counseling.
The real irony is another little boy who shares the home with Steven and his family was killed exactly three months ago by running out into the road into traffic.
The Tichenells say they're shell shocked by all the sadness and loss.
"I have three other kids I have to be strong for. I have my mom; she has heart problems. I have to be strong for her," said Jennifer.
Steven's school called to let Jennifer know teachers agreed to take money from their private vending machine fund to help the family bury the boy.
A letter is being sent home with students at the school to explain what happened in the accident that killed the first grader.
An account has been set up to help the family afford the burial.
Contributions can be made to any Bank of America to:
The Jennifer Beckner C/O Steven Richards Fund
Account #446008530712.
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