Sewickley, PA - School Bus Aide, Rochelle Pinkle, Took 14 Year Old Boy Hostage After Stabbing Watson Institute Nurse in the Back

Bus Aide Stabs School Nurse and Holds Student Hostage

According to WTAE, a nurse was stabbed during a hostage situation at The Watson Institute located at 301 Camp Meeting Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143. 

On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, Rochelle Pinkle stabbed a school nurse in the back twice before taking a 14-year-old boy hostage in a school van. Pinkle, a bus aide for the area, held a knife to the boy's upper body and head as police negotiated with her. Even after the boy was taken to safety, Pinkle was said to kick and bite police as they took her into custody. 

The nurse was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the boy was released unharmed to his parents. Pinkle faces charges of aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. 

Who is Liable for Violent Crimes on School Campus?

Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea works with victims of violent crime in civil lawsuits. During an interview, he offered his insight on the legal options available for victims of violent crimes on a school campus.

"Schools are expected to maintain a safe environment for both their students and their staff. They have a legal duty to ensure the campus is safe from preventable violent crime. Many ways that schools achieve a safe campus are by installing monitoring cameras, hiring resource officers, and limiting access to the campus with a check-in system. If a school neglects its campus safety, it can be held liable for violent crimes and injuries."

"Additionally, the school transit system also has a responsibility to vet their employees through verified background checks and misconduct reporting procedures. If an employee has a history of violence or misconduct and the transit officials failed to check, they can be held responsible for incidents of violent crime."

"Victims of violent crimes, such as stabbings, can obtain justice through both criminal and civil cases. The criminal justice system will attempt to identify and charge the perpetrator. However, the victim or their family can often file a civil suit against the perpetrator and any negligent parties.
It will be in the hands of the violent crime victim attorney to prove that the third parties failed to provide adequate security, but financial compensation may be available to victims and their families."

Sources:

WTAE