Mar 6, 2007 7:48 am US/Eastern
Bowling Brook Death Ruled A Homicide
by Mary Bubala
KEYMAR, Md. (WJZ) ―
The death of a teen inside a juvenile facility is officially ruled a homicide.
Isaiah Simmons died last month at the Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy in Carroll County.
Mary Bubalahas what the teen's family had to say after receiving the medical examiner's report.
Even though the medical examiner says Isaiah Simmons' death was a homicide it does not mean anything criminal occurred or that charges will be filed.
The report is now in the hands of the Carroll County State's Attorney, along with the FBI who is launching a separate investigation into possible civil rights violations.
The Maryland State Medical Examiner says the 17-year-old died of "sudden death during restraint."
The autopsy found no obvious external injuries and the case is being ruled a homicide.
"I'm glad that there are more eyes looking into this case than one. The more eyes you have on it, different findings you can find out. At least I know some kind of justice is going to be done," Felicia Wilson, Simmons' mother, said.
The findings are a bittersweet victory for the Simmons family, who is still coping with Isaiah's death during the struggle with staff members at Carroll County's Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy.
The Simmons case and other problems are prompting the closure of the school this Friday.
Eight employees are now on administrative leave. The homicide investigation is being turned over to Carroll County prosecutors and a grand jury.
Authorities say during the past several weeks sheriff's investigators have collected more than 100 pieces of evidence, and in coordination with the Department of Juvenile Services, interviewed more than 100 people.
In a separate investigation, the FBI is looking into whether Isaiah's civil rights were violated. A spokesperson for the FBI tells
Eyewitness News the agency has been watching the case.
"We don't have the luxury of just sitting back and grieving. Changes need to be made. Changes have needed to be made for a very long time," Danielle Carter, Simmons' sister, said.
In a statement to
Eyewitness News, the Department of Juvenile Services says the academy was "troubled" and "in need of reform."
A statement from Bowling Brook calls Simmons' death a personal tragedy for his family and the school.
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