Roane County, WV – We can now tell you the 10-year-old boy poisoned to death in his own home was named Corey Carper. As we first reported Monday night, the cause is believed to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
Investigators tell WSAZ that Corey’s entire family stayed home Monday because they thought they had a bad case of the flu.
But, it turns out it was something much more deadly.
“I just felt the world stopped. It went silent,” said Annette Claypool, principal of Geary Elementary Middle School.
Claypool returned to the school as principal in January. Still, in less than 12 months, Corey made an impression.
“He was a smart young man, very vivacious. He had these great big dimples. When he would see you he would smile and it would make you smile.”
That smile she was a thousand-watt one. Claypool adds he had a playful orneriness to go along with it.
Now that smile is missing from the hallways. There are just 276 students in grades pre-K to 8. It’s a tight-knit community where everyone’s hands are even on an art project in the hall.
“These kids are like yours,’ Claypool said. You don’t leave it at school when you go. It’s not like another thing. When you leave school, it is still with you. It’s not a job, it’s a passion. Here, these teachers, they feel that. It’s been a hard thing today.”
She said the staff is determined to help the students, too.
“We’ll love them a little harder now. We’ll love them through it.”
Every school counselor in Roane County was on hand Tuesday, meeting with the two fifth grade classes and anyone else who wanted to talk.
A letter is heading home to all the parents to inform them and remind them to be on the lookout for anxiety and depression in young hearts with questions on the mind.
“I would answer the questions. But if you don’t know how, just listen. Open your ears to them and let them talk to you. Ask them what they feel. Let them tell you.”
Tuesday afternoon, no one came to the door at the Carper home on Natural Bridge Road. Corey’s parents, as well as one of his friends, were also home throughout the day Monday. They thought they just had the flu until they called 911 around 5 p.m.
Investigators said there was no carbon monoxide detector inside the home.
“Remember them. Remember their family, Claypool said. Remember our little community and school. Say some prayers because they need them. That’s all I can ask for.”
She adds the school will be doing things to remember Corey, but wasn’t quite ready to reveal what those plans are.
Corey’s parents and friend were all rushed to Pittsburgh for treatment. As of Tuesday afternoon, they are all showing signs of improvement.