10-year-old Michigan cheerleader collapses at practice, later dies
A 10-year-old girl collapsed at a cheerleading practice in Southfield, Michigan and later died.
She was identified in a gofundme.com fundraising drive as Monea Pace.
Chief Johnny Menifee of the Southfield Fire Department said firefighters were called to the Thompson K-8 International Academy, 16300 Lincoln Drive, at about 8 p.m. Friday, July 14, on a report of a girl not breathing.
Menifee said bystanders were doing CPR and the firefighters took over.
Monea was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
“We did everything we could to try to change this outcome,” Menifee said. “Unfortunately, we were not able to change the outcome. It was a sad day.”
Monea was a cheerleader with the Southfield Falcons cheer and football organization.
A post on the group’s Instagram page said a candlelight vigil was held in her honor Tuesday night, July 18, at Thompson School.
Monea was remembered as a “sweet, silly, respectful, and God-loving little angel” on the GoFundMe page, which is raising money to help her family with funeral expenses.
As of Wednesday afternoon, nearly $4,900 had been raised.
To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-9yr-old-monea-pace.
The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office is awaiting several test results before determining a cause of death.