The NYPD is investigating a 12-year-old’s death after he was allegedly punched in the head at school.
Romy Vilsaint of Brooklyn died Friday morning after vomiting and complaining of a headache. Days prior, the 12-year-old told a family member that two kids from his school, P.S. 361, had beat him up and were paid $1 to strike him in the back of the head.
A 12 year old Brooklyn boy is dead. Family says Romy Vilsaint was beaten up at school twice. A relative says one of the beatings may have been a “$1 dare”. On Friday, was taken to the hospital where he later died. NYPD is investigating. pic.twitter.com/aEwXzXhCDe
— Lissette Nuñez (@LissetteNunezTV) May 8, 2021
“He stated that he got jumped by two kids on Wednesday, and on Thursday, he got hit in the back of the head real hard,” Roodwiny Exantus, Vilsaint’s cousin, said, according to CBS2. “The principal asked the kid why he did that. The kids were like, he got paid a dollar to do it…He had a severe headache, and he had to spend the rest of the day in the nurse’s office in the school.”
On Friday, police responded to reports of an assault in east Flatbush around 3 a.m. When they discovered the 5th grader, who was conscious at the time, medics transported him to Kings County Hospital. A short time later, he was pronounced dead.
"This is a horrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time,” a statement from a representative for New York City's public schools reads. “The safety of our young people is our absolute priority and this incident will be thoroughly investigated, and we are providing support to both the family and school community."
Vilsaint lived with his father and cousin. According to family members, he came to the U.S. from Haiti, where his mother and sisters currently live, for a better life.
Police have described Vilsaint’s death as suspicious and are reviewing the 12-year-old’s claims he was bullied for days.
“The school called the dad, but he was at work so he didn’t pick up the phone,” Exantus said. “To me, they did something wrong. Like, if the kid got hit in the head and he couldn’t come back to class and you’re told it’s severe, you don’t need to wait for his dad’s permission, just take him out to the hospital.”
New York City Councilmember Farah Louis released a statement after the NYPD launched an investigation.
"Romy was only 12 years old and his life was invaluable, worth far more than the $1 dare that cut his life short and left his family searching for answers,” the statement reads in part. “This Mother's Day weekend will be different for the Vilsaint family and his mother miles away in Haiti trying to cope with the loss of her son. This is a tragedy for a family who dreamed of a better life and brighter future for Romy now overwhelmed by grief and anguish."
Vilsaint's cousin remembered him as a sweet child.
“He wanted to be like me. Anything I liked, he liked. Any sports team I liked, he liked. He was a lovable guy, like fun. Everybody’s dying inside,” Exantus said.
No arrests have been made in the incident and police say the investigation is ongoing. A medical examiner’s report is expected next week.
