Family of Manchester High Drowning Victim Intend to Sue Town, School System

An attorney representing the family of the 14-year old Manchester High School student who drowned in the school's pool on Nov. 21, 2012 has filed a letter with the town of Manchester indicating that the family intends to sue for "wrongful death and damages." 

The letter, dated Jan. 9, 2013, was sent by Carlton L. Hume, a Hartford-based attorney, and contains a notice of intent to commence legal action against the town of Manchester, Interim Superintendent Richard Kisiel, the Manchester Board of Education, Manchester High Principal Matthew Geary, Manchester High Athletic Director Lindsey Boutillier, Thayer Redman, the Manchester High teacher present during the incident, and "such other person and or persons to be determined through investigation." 

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The suit is on behalf of Daniel Ofori-Mintah and Christine Amowaah, father and mother of 14-year old Malvrick Donkor, and "intends to bring an action for wrongful death and damages suffered in connection with an incident during school hours on or about November 21, 2012…which resulted in the death of Malvrick Esumah Donkor, a student of Manchester High School." 

Donkor, who had recently immigrated from Ghana and played on the Manchester High junior varsity soccer team, was reportedly found unconscious at the bottom of the Manchester High pool on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 21, during a physical education class in which he was a student. Attempts to revive Donkor on the scene were unsuccessful, and he was transported to Manchester Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. 

The Hartford Courant later reported that a security camera at the pool shows Donkor underwater for about 17 minutes before he was noticed and pulled out.

Redman, who also coaches the outdoor boys track team at the high school, was placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Manchester Police are also investigating Donkor's death. 

Hume also represented the family of Marcum Asiamah, a 15-year old East Hartford High School student who drowned in that school's pool in January of 2012, according to the Hartford Courant. The East Hartford Town Council voted recently to approve a $1.5 million settlement with Asiamah's family, according to the Courant, with the town's insurer paying $1 million and East Hartford covering the remaining $500,000 as a deductible.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to Manchester High School Principal Matthew Geary as Richard Geary.