A music teacher in Wyoming has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection with the tragic suicide of a fifth-grade boy at Carpenter Elementary School earlier this year.
The case has raised questions about the school's handling of the student's mental health struggles and the responsibility of the teacher involved.
Paul Pine, a fifth-grade student at Carpenter Elementary School in Laramie County, Wyoming, had been grappling with mental health issues during the 2022-23 school year. According to his mother, Chandel Pine, Paul faced difficulties with reading and felt singled out by teachers and staff members.
Chandel Pine reached out to school officials and arranged for an individualized education program to ensure Paul's safety at school. The principal also instructed teachers and staff not to allow students to use the restroom unaccompanied.
Despite these measures, Paul confided in a teacher in December, expressing thoughts of self-harm and revealing that he had brought a knife to school. Paul's father was called to pick him up, and the school considered expelling him for bringing a weapon. He was kept away from school for over a week and was allowed to return on a probationary basis shortly before Christmas break.
Chandel Pine made numerous attempts to communicate with school officials, including the superintendent and the Board of Trustees, advocating for her son and urging them not to punish him for seeking help. However, tragedy struck on January 9 when Paul was in music class with teacher Amelia Giordano. Paul asked to use the bathroom, and Giordano allegedly granted him permission.
He was gone for 17 minutes, during which time Giordano and another adult reportedly checked on the boys' bathroom multiple times. The principal eventually entered the bathroom and found Paul hanging on a coat rack in a stall, in need of immediate medical attention. CPR was administered, and Paul was airlifted to a hospital in Denver. Sadly, he passed away three days later, just shy of his 12th birthday.
In late July, Amelia Giordano, 31, was charged with abandoning or endangering a child, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The Laramie County District Attorney's office alleges that Giordano "let a juvenile student (Paul Pine) be unattended after safety measures were put in place, contributing to (Pine's) suicide."
Giordano pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on her own recognizance. Another hearing is scheduled for November. As of now, she is still listed as a music teacher at Carpenter and Pine Bluffs Elementary Schools on the district website.
The principal of Carpenter Elementary and the superintendent of Laramie County School District #2 have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Chandel Pine expressed her frustration, stating that she had followed all the safety plans outlined by the school to ensure her son's well-being. She removed potential hazards from their home and expected the school to do the same. The family is now considering filing a civil suit against the district.
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