Probe: No Wrongdoing In Autistic Student's Choking Death

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — An investigation has found no wrongdoing in the choking death of an autistic Brooklyn student.

The probe by the Special Commissioner of Investigation didn't find any misconduct by staff at the public school last October.

Dyasha Smith, a nonverbal 21-year-old, choked at P.S. 368.

Smith's mother, Catherine Smith, has said she told school officials her daughter's food had to be cut up or she would swallow it whole.

The 21-year-old woman was a special needs student at the School for International Studies, at 284 Baltic St. in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

Catherine Smith, is questioning how her daughter, who has autism, could choke when she's supposed to have an aide with her at all times.

Smith says the school's vice principal told her about the choking incident but still wants an investigation.

The investigation concluded that it couldn't confirm that Smith chocked on a muffin or that it came from an unsecured classroom cabinet.

The Wall Street Journal says the family plans to file a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city within the month.

The report says a nurse told investigators she administered the Heimlich maneuver and CPR and other staffers tried to help.