13-year-old girl dies after falling through attic of Colorado childcare facility: Reports
13-year-old girl dies after falling through attic of Colorado childcare facility: Reports 'Mourning the loss of such a beautiful soul will be a daily task for the rest of our lives,' the 13-year-old's aunt told a local media outlet.
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A 13-year-old died after falling approximately 25 feet through an attic at a childcare facility in Colorado, according to multiple reports.
Joeylin Kenley McDonald, a 13-year-old described as a "a precious young soul," died on April 18 of injuries sustained from falling through the attic of the Rocky Mountain Service, Employment, and Redevelopment (RMSER) Empowerment Center, an after-school head start program, in Pueblo, about 50 miles south of Colorado Springs, FOX21 News and KRDO reported.
Pueblo Police Department told FOX21 News that officers responded to the incident shortly after 7 p.m. on April 18. Police told KRDO they arrived at the scene to find the teen dead and said she was with a group of juveniles at the time. Police did not specify why the children were in the attic and what caused the fall, but said no other children were injured in the incident.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to the local outlets. However, an update on it was not available, and the authorities did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for more information.
RMSER CEO: 'A tragic loss within our community'
RMSER CEO Christopher W. Hall, in a statement to USA TODAY on April 22, mourned the teenager's death and said it occurred during a Youth Kickback event at the community-based organization's center in Pueblo.
"It is with profoundly broken hearts that we at RMSER mournfully acknowledge the heartbreaking news of a tragic loss within our community," Hall said. "On Friday evening, during a Youth Kickback event at the RMSER Pueblo Empowerment Center & Resilience Hub, a precious young soul, Joeylin, age 13, tragically passed away in an accident."
Describing Joeylin as "a bright and beloved light in our community," Hall said her "sudden passing is a devastating blow to all who knew and loved her."
Hall added that the "exact circumstances" of the accident are under investigation and requested community members to "join us in lifting in loving support and deep prayer for Joeylin, her family, friends, and all who are grieving during this unimaginable time."
Joeylin was 'one of a kind,' says aunt
Joeylin's aunt, Caitlyn Valdez, in a statement to KRDO13, called the teenager "the brightest soul in the world" and "a true force to be reckoned with."
Valdez said Joeylin was a 10th-year student at Connect Charter in Pueblo and was a bright student, like her mother. She enjoyed playing soccer, was an avid dancer and was also an alumnus and contestant in the Miss Pueblo County scholarship pageant, where last year she was runner-up for Miss Pre-Teen and crowned Miss Spirit 2024.
"The most important part of Joeylin is her family," Valdez said, adding she was very close to her siblings and parents.
"Mourning the loss of such a beautiful soul will be a daily task for the rest of our lives," Valdez said. "Joeylin is one of a kind and will never be forgotten."
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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