Virginia Mother Seeks Answers After Daughter Dies at School Despite CPR Delay

Keyonna Stewart, a mother from Virginia, is grappling with heartbreak and frustration after her 16-year-old daughter, Kaleiah Jones, experienced a medical emergency at school and passed away before reaching the hospital. Jones had a documented heart condition, and her family is now questioning why there was a nine-minute delay before she received CPR.

The day of the incident, February 20th, started like any other weekday for Jones, who had breakfast and then went to Menchville High School in Newport News. At around 1:10 p.m., Jones collapsed in the hallway. The school notified Stewart’s boyfriend, informing him that Jones had fainted.

Stewart rushed to the hospital, where she learned that her daughter had no pulse. Upon reviewing video footage from that day, Stewart discovered that her daughter had lain on the ground for nine minutes before CPR was administered by a police officer.

Newport News Public Schools stated that all staff members, including teachers, administrators, security officers, and school nurses, are trained in CPR as required by the state. Additionally, every school is equipped with a defibrillator, and each high school has three.

The school division confirmed that an AED was brought out, and when emergency medical technicians (EMTs) arrived, they also used an AED. A school resource officer, who is a sworn police officer, initiated CPR on Jones, with assistance from a nurse.

Although the district spokesperson did not have information on the timing of when CPR was administered after Jones fainted, the family is seeking answers while holding onto cherished memories of Kaleiah, who was passionate about baking and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist.