August 18, 2004

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  Missteps Cited In Girl's Death

  
  

   

  
  

  By Theola Labbé

  
  

  Washington Post Staff Writer
  Wednesday, August 18, 2004

  
  

  Cindy Alvarado, a 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, had been lethargic and breathing more rapidly than normal that day at school. Her teacher was concerned and called for the nurse. But at the end of the day, Cindy was placed on a D.C. school bus with the nurse's urgent note tucked away.

  
  

  After an hour-long bus ride to her foster home in Fort Washington, Cindy, who used a wheelchair and was unable to speak, had stopped breathing and was turning blue. Soon she was pronounced dead at a hospital.

  
  

  Hours later, her foster mother found the nurse's note at the bottom of Cindy's backpack. It read: "Please evaluate re: emergency room ASAP."

  
  

   

  • 12:53 pm
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