Investigation into death of child found unresponsive on school bus

GLOUCESTER TWP. - An investigation is underway into the death of a student found unresponsive on a school bus here.

The child, identified only as a 12-year-old student at Gloucester Township Elementary School, was found on a bus on Jan. 24 and died at an area hospital on Feb. 1, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

The student received emergency medical care from school staff and first responders, then was taken to Jefferson Washington Township Hospital.

The youth was then transported to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where they died, the prosecutor's office said in a brief statement.

The prosecutor's office said it's waiting for the medical examiner to rule on the cause and manner of the child's death.

In a letter to the school district employees, Superintendent John Bilodeau noted grief counselors were available for students and staff after the child's death.

"Parents have also been notified of this loss," Bilodeau said in the Feb. 2 letter.

He noted the school's faculty "continued to provide the highest standard of education excellence" despite the tragedy.

"I would ask that the entire Gloucester Township community to please keep the family in their thoughts and prayers," Bilodeau added.

The incident is under investigation by the prosecutor's office and Gloucester Township's police department.

"No further information is being released at this time," the statement said.

Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Child died after being found unresponsive on bus in Gloucester Twp.