A routine late-morning at Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School in Yonkers turned tragic on Wednesday, when a 12-year-old sixth grader choked and later died at a nearby hospital, officials said.
The student became unresponsive on campus at 11:39 a.m. after choking, according to Yonkers Times. Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate him at the school and then rushed him to Saint Joseph’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Yonkers police have opened an investigation into the medical emergency.
Superintendent Aníbal Soler Jr., in a message to families, said the district was “wrestling with deep sadness” and asked the community to keep the boy’s family in their prayers, as reported by PIX11. Grief counselors are available on campus to support students and staff shaken by the loss.
School And Onsite Health Services
According to Yonkers Public Schools, Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School, located at 121 McLean Avenue, serves students from pre-K through the middle grades. The building is part of the district’s recent construction push and its community-school strategy to centralize services for families under one roof.
School-Based Clinic And Support
The campus includes a Saint Joseph’s school-based health clinic that offers primary care and behavioral-health screening for students. District leaders had celebrated the clinic’s opening as a way to make it easier for kids to get medical attention without leaving school, Yonkers Times reported.
Investigation And Community Response
Yonkers police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the emergency and have not released additional details. PIX11 reported that officials are urging families to rely on district communications while the inquiry continues.
District leaders say they will continue to provide resources for students and staff as the school community processes the sudden loss. The student’s name has not been made public.
