A New Jersey mother is searching for answers after her 12-year-old son collapsed and died after soccer practice on February 10.
Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia was in the sixth grade at KIPP Rise Academy in Newark. He was conducting drills last Friday and at some point became unresponsive, a school official confirmed.
«He was so happy to be there. I didn’t know it was going to be his last day,» the boy’s mother, Raven Brown, told News 12 New Jersey.
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A sophomore was disqualified from his swimming race after an American flag on his cap was too big.
Elijah’s mother said he played for the Essex County Predators League and had been practicing with his younger brother, who allegedly called their mother on the phone.
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«I said, ‘What are you doing? What is everyone doing?’ And he said: ‘They are pouring water on him, and they are fanning him.’ And that’s when I got my kids together and said, ‘I’m on my way,'» Brown recalled when he spoke about the phone call.
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Elijah did not receive CPR, and Brown said he asked the team’s coach why no one seemed to know how to provide immediate help.
«And he said, ‘None of us are CPR certified,'» Brown said.
It is not clear how long it took for medical personnel to reach the scene. Elijah was eventually transported from the football field to a nearby hospital in Newark.
He was declared dead at the hospital.
«University Hospital extends its deepest condolences to the grieving family of this young man. However, for privacy reasons, UH cannot comment on our patients’ protected health information, including confirming a patient’s identity,» it said. a hospital official in a statement Friday. .
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Elijah was not hit during practice and was in generally good health, Brown said. There was «no contact. It was just drills going back and forth,» he said.
The family awaits the results of the autopsy.