May 15, 2008

Counseling at Ossian school for classmates of accident victim

Counselors are assisting at Ossian Elementary School this week to help teachers and students in the aftermath of the tragic accident Tuesday night which took the life of kindergarten student Landen Bailey.

The Bailey youth, son of Cletus and Jennifer Bailey of rural Markle died from injuries in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident at the Bailey residence. Injured in the accident was his cousin, Kylee Stunk, a first grader at Ossian Elementary School. She was taken to Lutheran Hospital by ambulance, where she was treated for cuts and bruises and released.

Letters were sent home with students of Ossian Elementary School Wednesday informing parents of the counseling procedures offered. Also sent to parents were guidelines suggesting ways for parents to help their children through the grieving period.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bailey and Strunk families during this difficult time. Our school family has lost a wonderful young man and we will miss him,” OES Principal Shellie Miller stated in the letter sent to parents.

The Bailey youth was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital Tuesday night where he was pronounced dead. His death was ruled accidental by the Allen County Coroner’s office with cause of death being blunt force trauma. No autopsy was performed.

The accident remains under investigation. Under standard procedure in child fatalities, a case manager from the Indiana Department of Child Services has been assigned to the Bailey family.

An assessment of the accident will take place by the case manager, who will determine whether there is evidence that neglect or abuse was involved in the incident.

Indiana Conservation Officer Erick Bolt was the investigating officer in the incident, with assistance from deputies of the Wells County Sheriff’s Department.

Funeral services for the Bailey youth will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Zanesville United Methodist Church, where calling will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m.

joe@news-banner.com

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