CHESAPEAKE
Terrell Stepney liked P.E. and jigsaw puzzles. He looked forward to once-a-week trips to places like the mall and the movies with his special education class at Oscar Smith High School.
Sometimes they'd go to the Dollar Tree, said teacher Tom Long, and Terrell, who had autism, would pick out tissues, toothpaste and other items from a list his grandmother prepared.
If anything was amiss at home, it didn't show in school.
But late last week, according to the police, Terrell Stepney's grandmother killed him. She gave him an overdose of prescription medication. Then she killed herself with the same drugs.
Terrell's grandfather, Larry Stepney, discovered both of them after trying to wake Terrell for school Friday morning, police said.
Terrell, 19, was breathing irregularly, and Constance Stepney was unresponsive. Larry Stepney called 911, but it was too late for both of them. Constance Stepney, 55, was pronounced dead at their South Norfolk home, which sits in a cul-de-sac in the 3100 block of Ida Street.
Medics took Terrell to Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. He was placed on life support but died Saturday evening.
Police have closed the case. They offered no motive.
"It's just a tragic story," said Paul Joseph, principal at Oscar Smith High School. "His classmates are a small, tight-knit group."
Terrell was a neat, respectful student, Long said. "No behavior problems at all."
He asked people their names even if he already knew them and often reminded his teacher when it was time to do something.
"He kept me on my toes that way," Long said.
Terrell was good at piecing together jigsaw puzzles - Long remembers one with a winter scene and one with Spider-Man.
"He was a fun-loving, well-liked young man," Long said.
News of his death left some classmates very emotional and others subdued, he said. "I told them Terrell won't be with us any longer, that he had passed away the other day. That he won't be coming back."
Kristin Davis, (757) 222-5208, kristin.davis@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
The parents . . .
Might have borderline autism, too. There is much evidence it is genetic.
My Prayers and Thoughts Are With You and Family
I am so very sorry to learn of the passing of your dear wife and grandson. I have not seen you since high school but we were good friends. Remember "Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" JOHN 11:25-26 NIV May God and all His tender mercies be with you and your family and you are in my prayers and thoughts.
Newport News, VA
iqdou ------ with all due respect
I'm sorry you have not been able to find the assistance for you son that you need, but I guess my point didn't come across as clearly as I had hoped.
In times of contemplating suicide there is a great deal of assistance out there, from call 911 to a number of hot-line numbers, including your local hospital.
oh no there isn't!
"in times of desperation there is so much assistance out there,"
My boy has been disabled his whole life. I had to fight tooth and nail from the time he was a toddler until he was out of school to get what he needed in his IEP just from the public school system. His pediatricians were a joke -- they never would acknowledge his autism. I cannot get services for him at all - I've called so many, city agencies, Eggleston, etc. - and they all do nothing. Nothing! All I'm trying to get is a foot in the door for my boy to work a few hours a week to be with others, earn a few cents and get him out of the house. Oh -- did I mention my boy can sit through a movie, watch the credits roll to the end and then tell me what they are! Know anyone who needs someone like this?
My thoughts and prayers are
My thoughts and prayers are with Coach Stepney (as I remember him from my BTW days not long ago). He cares alot about his students, so I can only imagine how and what he is feeling the past few days. I can only hope his family, former Bookers and community can pull together for Coach and keep his spirits high, as he will need the support he imposed on us students, whether we wanted it or not. It's a hard time for his family, and I hope he makes it through this stronger than ever!
RIP
This is very sad. I do wonder though if this grandmother may have been very ill (physically)? May God be with their family, friends & loved ones!
SAD
My heart goes out to Mr Stepney. I haven't known him for long, but I can't even imagine how is he is feeling right now. I pray the Lord will give him the strength to endure this tragic loss.
oh my!
So terribly sad! I nave a 9 year old nephew with extreme disabilities, and when I read stories like this, it touches the soul. We don't know the circumstance with the grandmother, and the rest of the family, but in times of desperation there is so much assistance out there, that this type of incident should have never happened. May it never happen again!
God Bless the Family
This is very tragic and my prayers go out to the family especially the husband because he is a man of GOD who has touched many young boys lives in the Norfolk community. God Bless from one Spartan to another. Please be selective with your comment!!!
re: How sad
markg69046 wrote:
>>>In that time, I left her because I didn't want my little girl to endure that too. Many times I've asked for forgiveness for that act I now regret.<<<
Go easy on yourself Mark. As I stated, this is a terrible burden to bear for the parent/guardian that deeply loves these special people. You were looking at your daughter's best interests. NO ONE can fault you for that!
so sad...
my son has autism, too. It's very difficult to get help or services for this type of disability. I suspect this young man is much like my boy [less Tanner's type] but, nonetheless, requiring fulltime care with little hope of outside services -- even a small parttime job to help maintain social skills. Even eggleston services refused to help my boy.
I can imagine this grandmother had her plate full. Wonder where the mother was...Oh well...regardless, I'm hopeful this naive, innocent young man had no clue he would not wake up. Just really so sad for both of them.
How sad
Few stories touch me anymore. This one did. Years ago I dated a beautiful woman, inside and out, with an austistic young son. She was dedicated beyond measure and an advocate for others in like position. I witnessed the strife it placed on her older daughter. In that time, I left her because I didn't want my little girl to endure that too. Many times I've asked for forgiveness for that act I now regret. I cannot begin to imagine the heartache this lovely woman and caretaker felt for this victim of autism. For those of you that have never been around a child/adult with this infliction you can't understand. There are different levels from mild to severe. In many cases, the child grows into an adult but requires the constant oversight of a parent or guardian. The burden on this precious woman's heart was more than she could bare....for this young man and herself. My only hope is her husband can continue on with such an overwhelming loss. May our God watch over the family as the healing begins.
Tragic
Both this act and Terrell's debilitating affliction are tragic. As the father of an 11 year old autistic son, I can attest to the emotional and physical drag this can be on someone. I cannot, however, imagine not having my son in this world.
Godspeed, Terrell, you were a very special person...
Just horrible...
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this youngin'. Oscar Smith has suffered quite a bit lately. RIP Tiger.
Grandparents
This story is just so sad. The element of the story that's missing is the status of the parents. My guess is they are not on the scene and that the grandparents were caring for this child on their own, as so many are.