Massachusetts girl, 10, dies after choking on carrot during meal in school, family seeks answers
WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS: The family of a 10-year-old who died after she choked on her food while eating in school is searching for answers on how such a tragedy could have unfolded.
Marilyn Ofobi Korankyewaa, a fifth-grader at the Belmont Community School, was eating a carrot during meal hours earlier this month when she started choking on it, according to WHDH.
She ran into a bathroom with a friend, who quickly raised an alarm with teachers and told them that she was choking on a carrot. When school staff found her, they started administering first aid and called 911, as well as her parents.
Marilyn lost consciousness and was rushed to the UMass Medical Center for further treatment, but never woke up. She had lost the oxygen to her brain and was declared clinically dead on September 17.
Her family members described her as a smart girl who loved public speaking and would often even preach at their church. "I was even thinking the first female president of the land – unfortunately, that couldn’t happen… my vision, my dream for her," said her uncle, Ken Asafo-Adjei.
The family is puzzled by how she could have died. "We’re told they did [attempt aid]," said Asafo-Adjei. "As to how it was done… who did it… that’s questions we need answered."
John Amoah, a local pastor, and a family friend, echoed those sentiments. "Going to the bathroom, nobody was there. We don't know what happened," he said. "I'm not saying this to blame them, but if the school has a system in place that will be good, a procedure."
The family has asked the city for answers, with the school superintendent's office stating that they would not be commenting on the death out of respect for the family's privacy. However, Mayor Joseph Petty has promised to provide more information.
"They’re looking for closure. I think they want to know what happened exactly – a timeline. We’ll do that," Petty insisted.
Marilyn's family is also hoping that an autopsy will give them some answers. A GoFundMe page set up to raise donations to cover the cost of her funeral has raised over $10,000 of a possible $15,000 goal at the time of writing.