Two Pittsfield Educators Charged Manslaughter After Student Drowns on Field Trip

Two Pittsfield educators, Meghan Braley and Linda Whitacre, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and permitting serious bodily injury in connection with the drowning death of 12-year-old Giver Essien during a July 2024 school field trip to Beartown State Forest. Investigations revealed significant safety lapses including the lack of swim tests, inadequate lifeguard supervision, failure to implement a buddy system, no flotation devices for non-swimmers, and allowing all 35 students to swim simultaneously despite the plan for smaller groups. Warnings from other children that Essien, who could not swim, had gone underwater were reportedly ignored, and she was not identified as missing until 30 minutes after the other students had left the water. District Attorney Timothy Shugrue emphasized that while the educators did not intend harm, their reckless conduct directly contributed to Essien's death. The case highlights violations of Massachusetts state water safety regulations designed to protect children, and has prompted calls from Essien's family for greater vigilance at youth programs. Emergency responders recovered Essien's body shortly after being alerted by a bystander, underscoring the tragedy's preventable nature due to supervisory failures.