What We Know About the California Teacher Who Died After Being Bitten by a Bat in Her Classroom

Mar. 15, 2025

Leah Seneng.Photo:Leah Seneng Facebook

Leah Seneng Facebook

Leah Seneng, 60, an art teacher who taught at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, encountered the animal in October on the floor of her classroom early in the morning before her students arrived, her friend Laura Splotch toldCNN.

“She scooped it up and she took it outside,” Splotch said. “I guess it bit her, or she maybe thought it scratched her or something, and then it took off. It flew away, and she didn’t think anything of it, not thinking that it was sick or anything."

“So she got it out of the classroom, and then she just went about her day, and she told her daughter about it,” Splotch continued.

Splotch toldABC affiliate KFSNthat Seneng initially didn’t exhibit any symptoms after the bite. But then Seneng fell ill and was admitted to the hospital on Nov. 18 and put into a medical coma. Four days later, Seneng died, KFSN andThe Fresno Beereported.

Splotch, a friend of Seneng for 15 years, described the late teacher as kind and a lover of the arts.

“She was a lover of life,” Splotch told KFSN. “She spent a lot of time in the mountains where her mother lived. She loved to explore the world, she’s a great explorer.”

Seneng, who leaves behind a husband and daughter, enjoyed her summer vacation that included a trip to Bali, according to Splotch,NBC Newsreported.

The friend has established aGoFundMeon behalf of Seneng’s family. As of the afternoon of Dec. 4, the fundraiser has raised over $7,000.

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Seneng’s death is the first one involving rabies in Fresno County in 32 years,ABC affiliate KABCreported. The Fresno Fresno County Department of Public Health said there is no threat to the public, according to the report.

A spokesperson for the Merced County Department of Public Health tells PEOPLE that the case is still being investigated and that the department is notifying close contacts and family members and offering preventative care.

The spokesperson adds that the department cannot comment further until the investigation is complete.

Meanwhile, Schwab tells PEOPLE that the district, which is cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health on their investigation, was stunned to learn that Seneng’s death was related to her contracting rabies.

“We live and work in a community known to have bats and other wildlife around school grounds, and we will continue to help educate our community regarding the dangers associated with coming into direct contact with any wild animal, including bats,” he says.

Schwab adds, “District staff are trained to handle situations with wild animals, including bats, and we urge everyone to report any sightings to school administrators so they can take appropriate measures.”

source: people.com