Benjamin Logan Schools Superintendent Dave Harmon said this morning that the district is mourning the loss of an eighth-grade pupil, “a great kid and a good student” and is offering its heartfelt prayers to his family.
The boy, Blaine Morris, 13, was found dead this morning outside near his residence, 212 Walnut St., Belle Center, in an apparent self-inflicted death.
About 3 a.m. today, deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and BMRT squad responded to the area after being alerted by a neighbor at 210 Walnut St.
The boy was pronounced dead, and the Logan County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene. His body will be transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy.
Deputies spoke with Blaine’s parents at their residence. They reported their son went to bed a little after 9 p.m. Tuesday, and they went to bed around 11 p.m., and they said they didn’t observe any unusual activity at that time.
During follow-up investigation, deputies also will be examining the boy’s cell phone records.
The Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide responded to the Morris home during the early morning. The LOSS team also is available today at Benjamin Logan Schools, along with guidance counselors, who will meet with students at each of the district’s three school buildings, Superintendent Harmon said.
“That will be our biggest priority today is meeting the needs of our students during this tragedy,” he said. “We will have trained professionals here to talk with students for as many days as needed.”
The superintendent said the school district’s crisis team met at 5 a.m. today after being informed about the student’s death to make preparations for the day.
“This is a crisis that personally hits very close to home, as his mother works here in the central office. We are all shocked by this, and are rallying around his family.”