School Official ‘Saddened’ Over Blackwood Boy's' Drug Overdose'

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP – The Gloucester Township School District Superintendent spoke out recently about the new developments in the death of a 12-year-old boy who was found unresponsive on a school bus and later died.

“I am profoundly saddened to learn that the recent death of a 12-year-old student was the result of a drug overdose,” Superintendent John D. Bilodeau said.

He also indicated the district has offered and will continue to offer counseling to students and staff impacted by the boy’s death, and that parents or guardians should reach out to Gloucester Township School District’s Administration Offices with any issues that they feel need discussion.

“I would also encourage parents and guardians to talk with their children about this tragic event as they process the difficult emotions that result from such an occurrence,” Bilodeau added.

On March 21, the school district unanimously agreed to place a plaque on school grounds honoring the boy.

That same day, the boy's uncle, Troy Nokes, 35, of Blackwood, was charged with aggravated manslaughter and multiple other charges in connection with the child’s death, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and Gloucester Township Police Department.

Nokes is scheduled to have a detention hearing in Camden County Court on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office told Patch.

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