The mother of a special needs student is suing the Atlantic City School District after her son nearly died during a 2019 class in the High School’s pool.
Keshaun Smith had to be revived after suffering a seizure while in the pool during a physical education class Jan. 14, 2019, according to the lawsuit.
Smith is autistic and was known to suffer seizures, requiring him to be supervised, the lawsuit states.
While Smith was suffering the epileptic seizure, “despite obvious signs of distress, no teacher, aide, lifeguard or other personnel came to his aid,” the lawsuit reads.
At the time, police said the student was "believed to have suffered a medical emergency while in the pool."
They denied reports BreakingAC had received that the student had drowned.
But the suit claims Smith's “lungs filled with water, his heart stopped and he ultimately drowned."
He was later revived through CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator.
Smith continues to suffer “permanent and painful injuries” as a result of the incident, including physical and psychological issues, according to the suit.
Michelle Howard, who was named the boy’s guardian in November, claims the school was negligent in the case.
The lawsuit, filed last week in Atlantic County Superior Court’s Civil Division, names Superintendent Barry Caldwell, then-High School Principal Lina Gil, along with teachers Scott Cianci, Courtney Hambrecht and John Toland.
Howard is seeking a jury trial, along with the cost of damages, interest, and court and attorney’s fees.
An amount is not named, but the suit does say the medical expenses have been in excess of $3,600.
Attorney Richard Gaeckle declined comment.
The district did not immediately return a request for comment.
