DETROIT (WXYZ) — A mom is asking for answers. Her son was found dead in a swimming pool at Mumford High School last month. She says he should never have been by the pool.
Fifteen-year-old Da’Sean Blanding’s mom Christina Blanding, his grandma Chrystal Banks, and their attorney Johnny Hawkins held a press conference on Monday. They say they want answers. How did Da’Sean die? Was he bullied by other students before he was found in the pool? Was he attacked? Why wasn’t anyone supervising him?
Da’Sean’s mom said she never signed a consent form for swimming because he has special needs and her son should never have been by the pool.
“He didn’t have a consent form to be in there because of things like this,” she said.
She believes a teacher should have protected her son, but left him with other students in the pool area unsupervised.
A teacher is on paid administrative leave. Blending and her attorney say that is not enough.
The prosecutor’s office says at this time no charges have been filed. Detroit Police are not commenting at this time because it is an open and active investigation.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District said it wants answers and justice for the teen too, saying in part quote, “As a district, we have directly engaged and supported Da'Sean's family and will continue to do so. We agree that the teacher should be on administrative leave without pay. However, state law is clear that a tenured teacher cannot be placed on leave without pay. “
