E. Indiana school district pays $450K over student death

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) – An eastern Indiana school district has agreed to pay $450,000 to settle a lawsuit over the death of a severely disabled student who died three days after choking at lunch.

Under a settlement approved by a judge last week, the Richmond Community Schools agreed to pay the parents of 17-year-old Megan Lyons.

The Palladium-Item reports  Michael and Denita Lyons of Richmond agree to drop their lawsuit in exchange for the payment. There was no admission of guilt.

Court records say the girl sometimes ate quickly and tried swallow food without properly chewing, so a school staffer was to monitor her during meals and cut up her food before. However, that didn’t happen on the day she choked.

A message seeking comment was left for the district’s attorney.