Poisoned Boys in Critical Condition as Family Raises Questions

Two Delaware boys remain in critical condition today after falling seriously ill while on vacation at a Caribbean resort where they may have been exposed to a dangerous chemical, according to a lawyer for the boys' family.

"Many questions remain why an odorless pesticide of this level of toxicity could be manufactured, distributed and applied in a residential area resulting in this family's injuries," family attorney James Maron said in a written statement today.

The boys' father, school administrator Steve Esmond, is "improving and stable," and his wife, Theresa Devine, "has been discharged and is doing well," according to Maron.

"They are confident in their medical professionals and are hopeful for a full recovery," Maron added.

In March, the Esmonds traveled to the Sirenusa Resort on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a report on ABC station WPVI-TV.

The day the family arrived at their second-floor condo, the apartment below them was sprayed with the pesticide methyl bromide, according to Judith Enck, administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 Office, which covers the U.S. Virgin Islands.

By that night, Enck said, the entire family "started having adverse health effects." Both boys had seizures, according to Enck.

Paramedics responded and took the family to a hospital on the neighboring island of St. Thomas. The boys were then airlifted to a hospital in Philadelphia, Enck said, while the parents were airlifted to a hospital in Delaware.

Steve Esmond is the head of the middle school at the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware, according to the school's website.

"All of us at The Tatnall School appreciate that so many people have expressed heartfelt support for our Head of Middle School Steve Esmond and his family," Charlie Tierney, head of The Tatnall School, said in a statement Monday. "We share your love and concern for Steve, his wife and their sons, who both attend our school. On campus, students have created cards, a banner and works of art for the family. While we are grateful for everyone's well-wishes, we ask that the family be allowed to recover in peace and privacy."

Theresa Devine is a dentist in Broomall, Pennsylvania, according to the company website.

"The Esmond family thanks everyone for their support and concern for their recovery from this unthinkable tragedy of pesticide poisoning," Maron said in the written statement.

The Department of Justice is investigating Terminix, the company that applied the pesticide, Enck confirmed.

"The family is grateful for the work of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice and the local authorities for their investigation of this chemical exposure," Maron's statement said. "The family is confident that the responsible parties will be brought to justice and held accountable."

Terminix has halted all fumigation in the Virgin Islands as part of the ongoing investigation, with which it is cooperating, said Peter Tosches, Terminix's senior vice president of corporate communications.

"First and foremost, the family is in our thoughts and prayers," Terminix said in a statement. "We're committed to performing all work we undertake in a way that is safe for our employees, customers and the public."

Sea Glass Vacations, which acts as a rental agent for several rental units at Sirenusa, said in a statement that it also is cooperating and "aware that authorities are actively investigating the possibility that the illnesses were due to chemicals used for pest control. ... Sea Glass Vacations does not treat the units it manages for pests but instead relies on licensed professionals for pest control services."