NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The family of 16-year-old Kaleiah Jones invites the community to join them on Feb. 23 in remembering her life in Newport News.
“I want her friends, or anyone who’s interested in coming out to support us,” said Keyonna Stewart, Jones’ mother.
On Feb. 20, Jones suffered a medical emergency at Menchville High School. The teen later died.
A memorial candlelight service is scheduled to be held Feb. 23 at Riverview Farm Park. The park is across the street from the high school.
“Kaleiah, she was super smart, creative and always happy,” Stewart said. “She loved to bake. She’d bake all the neighborhood cakes for their birthday parties. She was an honors student. Just a bubbly, happy kid.”
Her mother said Jones suffered from Bradycardia, which is a slow heart rate condition. She said Jones recently had surgery and the school was given records of her health issue.
Stewart said her daughter passed out at school in the afternoon.
The mother is furious with how the school responded. She’s calling them out for lack of medical attention after she saw video of the incident.
“It took nine minutes for her to get medical attention,” Stewart said. “When she arrived at the hospital, she had no pulse. So, everything happened here at the school. Plus the fact that no one has even reached out to me to say anything to me in regards to my daughter’s death.”
The candlelight vigil is at 5 p.m.
A GoFundMe has been started for the family. Click here if you would like to help contribute to the fund.