Report: No Cause for Prosecution in Manchester Teen’s Drowning

The drowning of a 14-year-old Manchester student in a school pool last fall was “tragic at best,” but ultimately there is no probable cause for an arrest or prosecution in his death.

That’s according to a report Manchester police issued this week, detailing an investigation into Malvrick Donkor’s death in the Manchester High School pool, as reported by The Hartford Courant.  

Donkor, who did not know how to swim, was reportedly at the bottom of the pool for 17 minutes before fellow students, who were swimming nearby, noticed his body there. The Courant reported that Donkor had left the safety of the shallow waters and went over to the 10-foot-deep end.  

The police investigation, however, did show that a student lifeguard program was not in place at the time of Donkor’s drowning, the Courant reported. A Fox CT video report further detailed that budget cuts may have affected that lifeguard program, as the funding for that program had previously run out.

Donkor’s family has meanwhile intended to sue the district, filing a notice with the city back in January.    

A memorial fund has since been set up in Donkor’s honor.