Family of burned student requests state and federal investigation
Attorneys for a DeKalb County School District (DCSD) student are requesting state and federal investigations into how the student suffered third-degree burns during an Aug. 6 chemical explosion in class.
Malachi McFadden, a 15-year-old Redan High School student, received third-degree burns in Bridgette Blowe’s chemistry class when she allegedly lit a dollar bill and poured ethanol onto the flame, which burned McFadden. The incident took place on the second day of the new school year.
Attorneys L. Chris Stewart and Michael Roth have contacted the DeKalb County Fire Marshal, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, the Georgia Department of Education, and the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner to open investigations.
Blowe unsuccessfully attempted the same experiment the day prior with rubbing alcohol. Students were not provided protective equipment or informed to stay 10 feet from the demonstration, according to Stewart and Roth.
“We are asking that impartial experts help us determine what exactly happened to Malachi McFadden in an effort to prevent another incident like this from occurring,” said Stewart. “Student safety should be the primary concern of all government officials, so we believe it’s imperative that outside, third-party experts be involved. The family prays that this prolonged investigation by the school district is not being delayed in an effort to find a legal loophole in order for the district to avoid responsibility in the upcoming lawsuit.”
It is unclear if the teacher involved was disciplined.
According to Stewart, DCSD’s investigation the incident has taken more than a month and the McFadden family has received little information.
“This is a pending legal matter, so DCSD will not comment substantively,” said in a statement to The Champion Newspaper. “Please know DCSD takes seriously its obligations to both protect the rights of students while ensuring a safe and effective learning environment for them.”
“I’m just surprised at the behavior of the district and that they don’t want to try to resolve this issue before a lawsuit,” Stewart said. “If the investigation doesn’t result in this case being settled, then we will be filing a lawsuit.”
The Champion Newspaper spoke with McFadden who said, “I’m doing good.”
McFadden is currently not attending school, but plans to return next semester when his hands are better healed. McFadden is now undergoing physical therapy to regain full motion in his hands.
“It still hurts,” said McFadden.
McFadden was sent to Grady Memorial Hospital after the incident. After he was released, students of Redan High School threw him a pep rally.
“Instead of the district, superintendent and all the people that are in charge stepping up and taking care of this case, settling it immediately, they’re going to force us to file a lawsuit,” said Stewart. “[The district] knows it wasn’t [McFadden’s] fault and rules were broken. But it’s about money and it’s sad that the school district is treating this family like this, and we aren’t going to let it slide.”
