[Two Clayton County coaches charged with murder in teen heatstroke death, By Leon Stafford, Aug 10, 2021 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
“Two Clayton County coaches have been charged with second degree murder and second degree cruelty to children in the 2019 heatstroke death of Elite Scholars Academy student Imani Bell.
A grand jury indictment, handed down July 1, 2021 says Larosa Maria Walker-Asekere and Dwight Broom Palmer are responsible “by conducting outdoor conditioning training for student athletes in dangerous heat, resulting in the death of Imani Bell due to hyperthermia and rhabdomyolysis.”
Rhabdomyolysis is syndrome resulting from the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers with leakage of muscle contents into the circulation, according to an article on the condition published in the American Family Physician Journal.
The coaches are also charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct.
Imani, 16, collapsed Aug. 13, 2019, while doing outdoor basketball drills at the school as the heat index shot up to 106 degrees.
There is an average of 702 heat-related deaths every year in the United States, according to a June 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In those cases, heat as the underlying cause killed 415 people and was a contributing cause in 287, the report says.
“What happened is what we call reckless,” Cino said. “It is what we would call negligent. The murder charges seem excessive in this situation.”
Justin Miller, an attorney for the Bell family and a cousin of Imani’s, said the second degree murder charge is proper because it was done in association with another felony — in this case, cruelty to children. Miller said the district attorney’s office informed the family of the charges before they were filed.
An autopsy performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation determined the manner of death an “accident.”
When asked Tuesday whether the indictment conflicted with that finding, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said there “have been no new updates to our initial Medical Examiner’s results from 2019.”
“The (medical examiner) findings are a medical determination,” Miles said, then referred a reporter to the district attorney’s office.
Reporting by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found the school appeared to have violated district policy that requires suspension of outside athletic activities when the heat index hits 95 degrees.
Allowing athletic activity in that heat also appeared to violate Georgia High School Association policy, according to a review of district policy.
The teen’s family filed a lawsuit against the school’s coaching staff and the district in February for wrongful death, pre-death pain and suffering and for funeral and burial expenses. They have planned a press conference for Wednesday.
“We just want closure in this whole situation,” Imani’s mother Dorian Bell said during the February news conference announcing the lawsuit. “We need that. That’s a part of our healing.”
According to the autopsy report recounting of the moments leading up to the collapse, Imani was one of eight teammates on the girls basketball team who gathered that August day for conditioning.
The players were told to run up a hill, perform jumping jacks and then come back down the hill. Imani lagged, at which time the coaches were “encouraging her and providing her water,” the report says. The players ran a quarter-mile lap around the track and then were instructed to run a set of stairs.
“Miss Bell attempted to run with the girls for the last lap but was unable and did a fast paced walk,” the report says. “One of the coaches noticed Miss Bell was tired, so he started walking the last lap with her and encouraged her.” When she arrived at the stairs, Imani began pulling herself up by the railing, the report says.
“A coach was with her, encouraged her and may have physically assisted her up the stairs. As Miss Bell neared the top ... (she) leaned into the rail and then went limp.”
Miller said the family is pleased that the charges have been filed and is looking forward to their day in court. He said the two-year anniversary this Friday of Imani’s death comes near both her mother’s and brother’s birthdays, making what should be a joyous occasion somber.
“Her parents are doing OK,” he said. “They are up and down.”
Please read the entire article [Two Clayton County coaches charged with murder in teen heatstroke death, By Leon Stafford, Aug 10, 2021 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
For the prevention of Exertional Heat Illness and Heat Stroke, Athletes exposed to intense exertion during dangerous Heat and/or Air Quality environmental conditions:
•Temp of 100°F to 101°F + signs +symptoms should be ‘kiddy pooled’ immediately
•Rectal Core Body Temp (RCBT) >40°C (104°F) is lethal.
•Research revceals that RCBT 105°F results in irreversible death
•“First aid for evolving heat illness should be in readiness and not be delayed.”
•Every ‘big and little’ Sport, Recreation and Exercise team must have a 911 Emergency Action Plan.
•“An emergency action plan with clearly defined written protocols should be developed, frequently rehersed and in place before an emergency occurs.
•1st Responder trainers should evaluate the rectal temperature of the Athlete
•Immerse the Athlete up to the de-clothed neck in a kiddy pool already with ice water
•Another 1st responder should call ready Emergency medical services (EMS) including the nearest Hospital Emergency Department
•Communication 911 telephone numbers should be handy + activated + all notified immediately
•for every Child and Youth Athlete who collapses or exhibits moderate or severe central nervous system dysfunction or encephalopathy during testing during or after conditioning drills, practice, competition, or other physical activity in the heat.”
•[Policy Statement—Climatic Heat Stress and Exercising Children and Adolescents, American Academy of Pediatrics]
‘THE FOLLOWING SPORT CONDITIONING EARLY SIGNS OF HEAT ILLNESS AND STROKE’ report describes Jack and NAT’s dangerous medical condition, if they unsuccessfully execute their mnemonic.
“First aid for evolving heat illness should not be delayed.”
Every ‘big and little’ Sports, Recreation and Exercise team must have a 911 Emergency Action Plan.
‘An emergency action plan with clearly defined written protocols should be developed and in place ahead of time.
Emergency medical services (EMS) communication should be activated immediately for any child or adolescent who collapses or exhibits moderate or severe central nervous system dysfunction or encephalopathy during or after practice, competition, or other physical activity in the heat. [Policy Statement—Climatic Heat Stress and Exercising Children and Adolescents, American Academy of Pediatrics]
“Because the brain is extremely sensitive to heat stress, the first signs of heat stroke are neurological.”
There are many risk factors, including medications which can impact thermoregulation and contribute to Exertional Heat Illness Morbidity and Mortality. At this website please review: http://www.cappaa.com/predisposing-risk-factors-for-heat-illness-and-heat-stroke
Exertional Heat Exhaustion is the milder form of heat-related illness. Heat Stroke is the fatal form.
“Any significant deterioration in performance with notable signs of struggling, negative changes in personality or mental status, or other concerning clinical markers of well-being, including pallor, bright-red flushing, dizziness, headache, excessive fatigue, vomiting, or complaints of feeling cold or extremely hot, should be sufficient reason to immediately stop participation and seek appropriate medical attention for those affected.
Exertional Heat Exhaustion, Early signs of Exertional Heat Illness
Exertional Heat Exhaustion, late signs
Athletic Trainers and/or Team Physicians should check for
other signs and symptoms: nausea, fatigue, malaise, hot dry skin, dry tongue, sunken eyes, tachycardia, decrease urine output. muscle pain, cramps, weakness, headache.
Athletic trainer should Check core temperature, using a rectal thermometer and immerse in a pool of cold water immediately when temperature is dangerously high and >100°.
•Athletic Trainers +/or Team Physicians should check complex Vital Signs, RespRate, BP, P, Rectal Temp
•+ complex signs/symptoms: hot dry skin, dry tongue, sunken eyes, tachycardia, ↓urine output
•Athletic trainers should follow Boy Scout Motto “Be Prepared” •Should “Be Prepared” initiate all Emergency Protocols •Check Rectal Core Body Temp, using a rectal thermometer + De-clothe + De-uniform
> immerse Athlete up to his/her neck in Kiddy Pool water filled + ice +water
Be prepared before practice or play starts
To immediately take action when the Temperature becomes dangerously high >100°
and signs and symptoms are manifest
Be prepared to perform CPR and Defibrillation, should Athlete Arrest, God Forbid
Even tho a mnemonic seems tedious, veryone please remember and practice and reherse your routine, time and time again.
References:
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