A Waukegan mother is mourning the unexpected loss of her 10-year-old daughter, Harmony Rose, who died by suicide just days after celebrating her birthday. In an incident that has left the family and community reeling, Harmony was found unresponsive outside her home in the 5000 block of Country Place last Tuesday, according to Lake and McHenry County Scanner. The Lake County Coroner's Office has ruled out foul play.
Harmony's mother, Mayolita Montejo, has expressed her shock over the tragedy, revealing that she had not seen any signs that something was wrong with her daughter. "There were no signs. None," Montejo told NBC Chicago. The loss has been particularly puzzling given that Montejo, who is a single mother to seven children and deals with depression herself, believes she knows the signs to watch for.
The incident took place around 9:40 p.m., where after attempts were made to resuscitate her, Harmony was rushed to Vista Medical Center East and pronounced dead. The national suicide prevention hotline 988 has since been highlighted as an essential resource by Dr. Aron Janssen of Lurie Children's Hospital, noting that asking children about suicidal feelings can lead to them feeling supported and more likely to be honest, as reported by NBC Chicago.
Remembered fondly, Harmony was a fourth grader who enjoyed TikTok dances, the game Roblox, and was a big fan of the TV show "Sam and Cat," according to her mother's interview with Lake and McHenry County Scanner. In the wake of this tragedy, Montejo faces another challenge as a single mother struggling with the financial burden of unexpected funeral expenses. An online fundraiser has been started to help the family during this difficult time.
