COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCBD) — The family of 10-year-old RaNiya Wright is calling for transparency and accountability from the Colleton County School District — and all other individuals involved — regarding circumstances of the young girl’s death this week.
Following the fight with another student, RaNiya was transported to Colleton Regional Medical Center where she was then airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina on Monday.
The child was pronounced dead the morning of March 27th, just days after the initial fight.
In a press release to media outlets Friday, attorneys for the family, Margie A. Pizarro and Myesha L. Brown, describedRaNiya as a wonderful student who was loved by her family, friends, and community. They say she loved to play basketball, spend time with her friends, and serve as a junior usher at her church.
Attorneys stated RaNiya’s family is struggling to make sense of the incident that took her life.
They are awaiting answers to questions regarding the circumstances of her tragic death including if there was appropriate supervision in the classroom, and what, if any, steps school administrators may have taken to intervene in the fight.
On Thursday, the Colleton County School Board met in executive session for nearly three hours, and by the end of their meeting, no questions had been answered.
Attorneys said the Wright family joins the community in its calls for transparency and accountability from the school district and all other individuals involved.
Attorneys are also formally requesting the complete investigative file and pertinent information from the Colleton County Sheriff’s Department and the Colleton County School District. They will also be in contact with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to learn the results of its inquiry into this matter.
In the release, attorneys say the family is now demanding change; such as addressing why a child would openly express anxiety about attending school, addressing fears that a child has in the school building, bullying and teasing, and the collateral damage when those behaviors go unchecked.
The family wishes to thank everyone for the many thoughts, prayers, and expressions of kindness that have been extended to them during this difficult time. They ask for continued prayer in the days ahead.
