COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A mother says Hassan Kariem, the victim in the deadly incident at Six Flags once helped her daughter through a hard time at school.
Lindsay Prizer said her daughter was 5 when going to Wesley International Academy, an Atlanta public charter school each morning had become a battle.
Prizer said doctors had diagnosed the girl with PANS, a condition that can cause sudden, severe neuropsychiatric symptoms.
“She went from happy and carefree to having major panic attacks every single morning when we drop her off at school, screaming and begging to not have to go,” Prizer said.
Prizer told Channel 2’s Michael Seiden that Hassan Kariem helped make those mornings a little easier.
She said he comforted her daughter and reassured her that the girl would be OK once she got inside.
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Months later, Prizer said she was waiting at the school when Kariem came over to her.
“He kind of wandered over and stood next to me… and just said, ‘She’s done really good. She’s getting so much better,’” Prizer said.
Prizer said she didn’t even know his name at the time.
“He didn’t know my name either… the idea that he had been watching and knew the work that she was doing…” Prizer said.
Prizer, who now lives in British Columbia, said she recognized Kariem’s face as soon as she heard the news from Six Flags.
“It was heartbreaking. It was a shock,” Prizer said.
Prizer said her daughter recognized him too and pulled out an old yearbook to find his picture.
Atlanta Public Schools are currently on fall break.
In a statement, the district described Kariem as a beloved colleague, friend, and integral part of the Wesley family for more than 12 years.
The district said he served as the school’s IT manager, technology teacher, and robotics coach.
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