Mother seeks answers in son’s study abroad death
By Elizabeth Simpson, The Virginian-Pilot | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
She wants to know why Damion -- a healthy 19-year-old -- died unexpectedly in the Peruvian jungle during a study abroad program.
She also wants to know what she can do to prevent other deaths like his.
"I want to know why my child died at 19, and I want an apology," Dabney said late last week. "I am angry. If someone had had a defibrillator or oxygen in the jungle, maybe he wouldn't have died."
She has joined forces with the
Dabney has also spoken with a lawyer she hopes can help her investigate the details of her son's death.
She received a call from Rolling on
Wilkins' body was flown from
His mother received his death certificate on Friday, which listed his cause of death as a heart attack. Funeral services are set for Monday at
Dabney's focus right now is to bury her son, an honors student who had dreams of being a doctor. Then she will be looking for answers and working to prevent deaths of other students who study abroad.
Dabney wants more information about the events leading to her son's collapse and the medical response and more detail from the medical examiner. She said he passed a physical exam before he left for
She said they have not returned many of her phone calls, and she threatened to sue if they didn't send his belongings to her. She said she was told her son's things have been sent to her.
Dabney paid about
Emails and phone calls from The Pilot to the organization and its founder late last week were not returned.
Hill's 16-year-old son, Tyler, died in
She and her husband sued several people and organizations involved, including the People to People Student Ambassador Program. The case was settled in 2009.
She founded ClearCause in 2010 and has helped 30 families who have had children die during study abroad programs. Hill has helped many more families with children who have been injured, raped, attacked or robbed while on overseas study programs. Many families struggle to find out basic information about how their children's deaths or injuries occurred.
The foundation also lists safety information on its website.
Hill said study abroad programs vary in quality, and some require families to sign liability waivers. She said she supports international study but wants proper protection and safety.
ClearCause, based in
Hill also has worked with universities and schools to issue sanctions against travel programs that don't have adequate safety measures.
ClearCause has a database of lawyers willing to help families, one of whom Dabney reached out to. Dabney said the lawyer has agreed to help her.
Wilkins' story is now listed on the ClearCause website.
Hill said she believes Wilkins' death warrants an
"No one tracks our children," Hill said. "Our country does more to track coffee and animals."
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