Teacher On Leave After Boy's Death At Franconia School

A teacher at Franconia Elementary School has been placed on leave after the death of a 9-year-old boy on May 18, a Fairfax County Public Schools spokesperson told Patch in an email. The teacher has not been identified. Police say no charges are expected in the case.

FCPS officials told Fox5DC that schools would stop using room partitions until a safety review has been completed.

Wesley Lipicky, 9, died after he was crushed by a room partition in the gym during the School Age Child Care program, police said. When the boy and a teacher simultaneously pressed a button to open a large, motorized room partition that splits the room, the boy was caught between the partition and a wall.

He suffered traumatic head injuries and was pronounced dead at an area hospital Friday night. An autopsy ruled the death accidental.

A memorial to the young boy has appeared outside the school, Fox5DC reported. A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 24 at 3 p.m. at All Saints Sharon Chapel, 3421 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, VA 22310. A GoFundMe account has been set up for Lipicky's family to cover funeral expenses.

In lieu of flowers, his family has asked for donations to Penguins International, an organization dedicated to penguin conservation and research.

More coverage:

• Memorial Service To Be Held For Boy Killed At Franconia School
• Boy Crushed To Death In Freak School Accident: Police

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