Last Updated on February 19, 2023
A prepubescent child collapsed and died suddenly during a no-contact football practice.
On Feb. 10, Elijah Jordon Brown-Garcia was doing running drills on a New Jersey football field when he suddenly collapsed and became unresponsive, ABC 7 reported.
Brown-Garcia was a sixth-grader at KIPP Rise Academy and was playing in the Essex County Predators league, in Newark.
When the 12-year-old collapsed, his 10-year-old brother and teammate called their mother, Raven Brown, to inform her of Elijah’s situation.
The coaching staff at the practice were reportedly not CPR certified so they began dumping water and fanning the child while he remained unresponsive.
“They are pouring water on him, and they are fanning him,” the 10-year-old told the mother.
After hearing of that, “I got my kids together and I said, ‘I’m on my way,’” the mother told News 12 New Jersey.
The mother said it took over 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the field. She said she beat the ambulance to the field.
Brown expressed regrettably how no coaching staff or league officials were CPR certified. “They are neglectful. You can’t run a team like that.”
The school of the 12-year-old released a statement lamenting the child’s death. “Elijah will be deeply missed by our KIPP students, families,s and educators, and we will remember him as a kind, outgoing student who was a friend to all,” spokeswoman Jessica Shearer wrote.
“Elijah has a brother and an aunt learning and teaching within our school. To support the Brown-Garcia family as they navigate this tragedy, please donate to their GoFundMe,” she added.
The family is considering taking legal action. The GoFundMe set up for Elijah was aiming to receive $10,000 in donations. It is currently at $35,000 with nearly 800 donors supporting the family in their time of grieving.
Stay tuned to National File for any updates.
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