08-30-2011, 06:43 PM
AP
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Teachers at a tiny New Hampshire elementary school on opening day Tuesday were ready for questions about the suspicious death of a schoolmate this summer but they weren't going to initiate any discussion.
School Superintendent Robert Mills said teachers were briefed last week by a pediatric trauma specialist in preparation for the start of classes at Stewartstown Community School, where 11-year-old Celina Cass would have started the fifth grade.
Celina's body was pulled from the Connecticut River one month ago. An autopsy failed to pinpoint the cause and manner of her death, and investigators have yet to call it a homicide.
"The kids are still somewhat nervous," Mills said. "An 11-year-old was taken in their community. They don't know who. I think they'll feel better once this is resolved."
Mills said he has faith investigators will solve the case.
"There's nothing the school can do for Celina," he said. "We need to look out for all the other kids. Our goal for them is to get things into a normal routine as fast as we can."
Mills said he was buoyed by the excitement and happy chatter he heard at a meeting of students and teachers Tuesday morning at the K-8 school.
New Hampshire investigators trying to solve the mystery of Celina's disappearance and death continue to await tips and toxicology results. Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young had hoped to have toxicology and other test results last week, but said it was not unusual for the process to take as long as eight weeks. HORSESHIT from AG office. they know it was homicide.
She said investigators have received more than a dozen new tips since a press conference two weeks ago announcing a community reward fund for information leading to the prosecution of anyone responsible for Celina's death.
Young said donations to the fund continue to trickle in, and it has reached about $6,000. The FBI also is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to criminal charges.
A close friend said Celina's mother, Louisa Noyes, was patiently waiting for answers and struggling with grief over the loss of her youngest child.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Teachers at a tiny New Hampshire elementary school on opening day Tuesday were ready for questions about the suspicious death of a schoolmate this summer but they weren't going to initiate any discussion.
School Superintendent Robert Mills said teachers were briefed last week by a pediatric trauma specialist in preparation for the start of classes at Stewartstown Community School, where 11-year-old Celina Cass would have started the fifth grade.
Celina's body was pulled from the Connecticut River one month ago. An autopsy failed to pinpoint the cause and manner of her death, and investigators have yet to call it a homicide.
"The kids are still somewhat nervous," Mills said. "An 11-year-old was taken in their community. They don't know who. I think they'll feel better once this is resolved."
Mills said he has faith investigators will solve the case.
"There's nothing the school can do for Celina," he said. "We need to look out for all the other kids. Our goal for them is to get things into a normal routine as fast as we can."
Mills said he was buoyed by the excitement and happy chatter he heard at a meeting of students and teachers Tuesday morning at the K-8 school.
New Hampshire investigators trying to solve the mystery of Celina's disappearance and death continue to await tips and toxicology results. Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young had hoped to have toxicology and other test results last week, but said it was not unusual for the process to take as long as eight weeks. HORSESHIT from AG office. they know it was homicide.
She said investigators have received more than a dozen new tips since a press conference two weeks ago announcing a community reward fund for information leading to the prosecution of anyone responsible for Celina's death.
Young said donations to the fund continue to trickle in, and it has reached about $6,000. The FBI also is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to criminal charges.
A close friend said Celina's mother, Louisa Noyes, was patiently waiting for answers and struggling with grief over the loss of her youngest child.