Girls in Delaware school beating death removed from school

• Officials have not said what charges may be filed in relation to the deadly assault on Amy Inita Joyner-Francis.
• Howard High School will hold parent meetings Tuesday and Wednesday night.
• Police have not released any details on the assault of the 16-year-old sophomore.

Female students involved in the deadly assault of Amy Inita Joyner-Francis last week were removed from Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington until more details are released in the case, according to school officials.

The girls have been out of school since the assault inside a girls' bathroom Thursday, district spokeswoman Kathy Demarest said Tuesday. The school is waiting on more information from investigating authorities before making any more decisions. Wilmington Police Chief Bobby Cummings said Monday night that charges will be filed against three girls involved, potentially by the end of the week.

He has not said what those charges may be.

"We did not want to rush to judgment," Cummings said. "We would rather take our time to conduct this investigation the proper way. Charges will be filed, and individuals will be held accountable for their actions."

Police have not released any details on the assault of the 16-year-old sophomore and said they are still conducting witness interviews and reviewing social media. Investigators with the state Department of Justice are aiding in the investigation, which has drawn both local and national attention.

At a heated community town hall Monday night, residents demanded more information and more help for students struggling with violence in the city. Many said too many politicians are trying to use the death to draw attention to themselves rather than the larger problem.

School officials continued to host parent meetings Tuesday and will again Wednesday night to help address concerns and explain what counseling services are available within the school, Demarest said. The intention, she said, is to "focus on the needs of the parents."

The meetings will not be open to the public. Tuesday night is for students in grades 10 and 11; Wednesday will be for grades 9 and 12. Parents will be required to sign in at the door to gain access to the auditorium, according to officials.

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Students returned to school on Monday for the first regular school day since the assault. Because of the Delaware primary, students were off again Tuesday but Demarest said counseling and mental health services continue within the school walls.

School administrators designated specific areas in the school to memorialize Joyner-Francis and have been writing personal messages on a banner emblazoned with the words "Howard Strong."

The Joyner-Francis family will hold a visitation service from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul UAME Church on North Market Street in Wilmington. This will serve as the only public service, according to an obituary posted on Congo Funeral Home's website.

"The family sincerely appreciates the tremendous outpouring of love and concern that they have received during this time," according to the obituary.

Howard High School officials have not yet determined whether they will hold a memorial service. Demarest said they are waiting on more information from police before proceeding.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.