CARBONDALE, Pa. — The Carbondale Area School District community is working through the loss of a kindergartener after the five-year-old died earlier this week. School officials held back tears as they spoke about the boy they referred to as the 'little mayor' of the elementary school.
Superintendent Holly Sayre said it's been a difficult time for staff and students, "From what I hear from staff and students, he was a wonderful young man."
The school has grief counselors on hand, helping the community cope with the tragic loss.
"Teachers, just by nature, paraprofessionals, and anybody who works within the school community, you're naturally there for kids. And you want to do the best by kids, and be as helpful as you can for kids, and support them in every meaning of the word," added Sayre.
The little boy died Wednesday after being treated for a traumatic brain injury at Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville.
Police believe Devon Boone, the boyfriend of the boy's mother, punched and threw the child at an apartment inside Summit Gardens in Carbondale. Neighbors are in disbelief.
"When I heard it was Summit Gardens, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, really?' it's just terrible," said one neighbor who didn't want to be identified.
"I didn't believe it at first. I don't know the full story, but it's a tragedy, any young child," added Summit Gardens resident Faustina Cobb.
According to court paperwork, Boone told investigators he and the child were "play fighting" this past Saturday, and a short time later, the boy began having trouble breathing.
"It's sad to see, as a parent, you don't play fight with a kid, especially a little kid like that," said neighbor Brian Fuller.
Boone was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned on Tuesday; however, the manner of death of the child has yet to be determined.
"I think justice should be done for what he did to that little child. I think he's in jail, and that's where he should be. He deserves what he gets," added Fuller.
An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday.