Report: Locks Weren't Secured On Bench That Killed New Milford Boy

NEW MILFORD, N.J. NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A report released by police suggests two unsecured locks are to blame in the death of a 7-year-old New Milford boy after a fold-down bench attached to a wall came crashing down onto him at a school.

A New Milford Police Department report obtained by The Record said the bench's "dead bolt locking mechanism'' wasn't engaged and a "backup swivel safety latch'' appeared to be missing from the bench.

Graphic of fold-down bench that killed boy in New Milford (Credit: New Milford Police Department)

The report said the dead bolt is used to secure the bench to the wall with a key and the swivel latch, located on the outside of the casing, is designed as a backup safety feature.

The swivel latch had apparently been missing "for some time'' due to the rust seen in the area that held the latch in place, according to the report. It was not found in the area of the accident.

Brendan Jordan was playing with a soccer ball during an indoor recreation soccer program at Berkley Street Elementary School on Jan. 7 when the bench came crashing down.

Brendan was struck on the side of the head by the 108-pound wood and steel bench when it fell out of the wall, Det. Lt. Frank Ramaci said.

The Gibbs Elementary School student was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center where he died.

Listen to Report: Locks Weren't Secured On Bench That Killed New Milford Boy

The grounds supervisor for the school said his office never received a work order to repair the missing bench safety latch, the report said.

New Milford School Superintendent Michael Polizzi declined to comment on the report.

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