Overview
- A large Promethean interactive display fell on a student at Riviera Elementary School in Palm Bay, fatally injuring 5-year-old Bellamy Dawkins-Morris in a midday incident on Wednesday.
- Palm Bay police say the death 'appears to be a tragic accident' but have assigned the Special Victims Unit, Major Case Unit and crime-scene teams to conduct an active investigation.
- Family members told reporters Bellamy had been moving the board before it tipped, said he was on the autism spectrum, and are seeking answers and legal counsel.
- Brevard Public Schools has ordered immediate inspections of all Promethean displays across the district and said the units were installed by a licensed third-party vendor following manufacturer guidance; the district is also providing grief counseling for students and staff.
- Investigators’ findings about how the display was mounted and what supervision or installation practices were in place could prompt safety changes in schools and possible legal action depending on the outcome.