Baltimore City Schools Employee Deborah Tolson Found Dead Inside Arundel Elementary; Police Report No Foul Play Signs
What happened
A Baltimore City Public Schools employee was found dead Monday, March 9, 2026, inside Arundel Elementary School in the Cherry Hill area of South Baltimore. The employee was identified as Deborah Tolson, 75, a veteran educator who had worked for the school system for 23 years and served at Arundel as a math interventionist.
Investigators with the Baltimore Police Department and the school system’s police are handling the case. Police said initial findings showed no signs of trauma or foul play. The medical examiner’s autopsy results are pending and are expected to determine the cause and manner of death.
Immediate impact on students and staff
City Schools officials moved to limit disruption and provide support services for students and employees. Arundel Elementary dismissed students at 10:15 a.m. on March 9.
In a message to families and staff, the school’s principal, Kerry-Ann Malcolm, described Tolson as a long-serving and widely known member of the school community. The letter stated she had worked at Arundel for seven years.
Crisis response and support services
The district deployed its crisis team to the school to support students and staff, with a focus on responding to immediate questions and helping the community process the event in age-appropriate ways. Such responses typically include access to counseling and additional student support services, as well as guidance for teachers on how to address grief and uncertainty in classrooms.
The district said its crisis team was working inside the school to support students and staff and respond to concerns.
What is known—and what is not
Known: Tolson was found inside the building during the school day on March 9, 2026.
Known: Police reported no visible signs of trauma or foul play at the scene.
Known: Students were dismissed early at 10:15 a.m., and counseling supports were made available.
Unknown: The official cause of death; investigators are awaiting autopsy findings.
Unknown: Any medical or situational factors leading to the death; authorities have not released additional detail.
What happens next
The investigation is expected to continue until the medical examiner’s findings are finalized and police complete their review of the circumstances. School officials have indicated they will continue providing support resources to students and staff as the community returns to normal operations.