Latest news with #MissPuebloCounty
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen, 13, dies in 25-foot fall through attic floor at afterschool program
A Colorado community was reeling and seeking answers Tuesday after a 13-year-old girl fell through an attic floor at her afterschool program and plummeted 25 feet to her death. Authorities in Pueblo confirmed that Joeylin Kenley McDonald died Friday at about 7 p.m. during a Head Start program Youth Kickback event at the Rocky Mountain Service, Employment, and Redevelopment Empowerment Center, KRDO-TV and other outlets reported. Empowerment center CEO Christopher W. Hall confirmed with 'profoundly broken hearts' the 'tragic loss' of 'precious soul' Joeylin, he told USA Today. Joeylin had been with her peers when she fell, but no one else was injured, police said. An investigation into what happened and why the children were in the attic was still underway, and authorities were still determining whether the matter was criminal or not, KRDO reported. The teen attended Connect Charter School in Pueblo, about 50 miles south of Colorado Springs, her aunt, Caitlyn Valdez, told KRDO. The avid dancer, soccer player and star student competed in the Miss Pueblo County scholarship pageant, finishing last year as a runner-up for Miss Pre-Teen, Valdez told the outlet, adding that she had also been crowned Miss Spirit 2024. 'Joeylin was the brightest soul in the world,' Valdez said in a statement. 'She is smart, headstrong, beautiful, sassy, sweet, caring and one hell of a hard worker. A true force to be reckoned with.' Her fellow students wore pink, Joeylin's favorite color, to school on Monday in her honor, Valdez said. Foremost among Joeylin's passions was her family — five siblings, her parents and a network of other relatives, her aunt said. '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.' _____
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
13-year-old girl dies after falling through attic of Colorado childcare facility: Reports
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 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'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@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joeylin Kenley McDonald dies after falling through attic in Colorado
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Girl, 13, killed in freak accident at Colorado after-school program
A 13-year-old girl tragically died after she fell 25 feet through the attic floor at a Colorado after-school program. The Pueblo Police Department were called to Rocky Mountain SER - a local food pantry about two hours outside of Denver - on Friday around 7 pm and found Joeylin Kenley McDonald dead at the scene. It is unclear how she got in the attic or where in the building she fell from, but police said she was with a group of juveniles at the time, KRDO reported. The fateful acciden t took place during a youth kickball game at the food pantry, the organization said. 'It is with profoundly broken hearts that we at RMSER mournfully acknowledge the heartbreaking news of a tragic loss within our community,' the group continued. '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. 'Joeylin was a bright and beloved light in our community, and her sudden passing is a devastating blow to all who knew and loved her. 'While the exact circumstances of this tragedy remain under investigation, we ask the Pueblo community and beyond 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.' Rocky Mountain SER manages four different empowerment centers - one in Pueblo, another in Denver, a third in Alamosa, and the fourth in San Luis, according to its website. Joeylin's heartbroken family has remembered her as a 'smart, headstrong, beautiful, sassy, sweet, caring and one hell of a hard worker.' 'Joeylin was the brightest soul in the world. She is smart, headstrong, beautiful, sassy, sweet, caring and one hell of a hard worker. A true force to be reckoned with,' her aunt Caitlyn Valdez said. Valdez said her late niece attended Connect Charter School in Pueblo and was 'all about education like her mama.' 'This coming weekend her team will be competing at State history day competition. Joeylin has many friends who honored her at school today by wearing her favorite color, pink,' she shared. The middle schooler enjoyed many sports and activities, including soccer, dance and pageants. 'Joeylin played soccer for the Rangers, who are undefeated this season! This was her 10th year and 20th season. She enjoyed soccer very much. 'Joeylin [was] also an alumnus/contestant in the Miss Pueblo County scholarship pageant, where last year she was runner-up for Miss Pre-Teen and also crowned Miss Spirit 2024. 'Joeylin absolutely [loved] the pageant and was involved with lots of community services around Pueblo. 'Joeylin [danced] for Sarah Shaw. She [had] been dancing for many years, in jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballet. She [had] a recital coming up in May. She [had] been dancing since she was 7 years old.' 'She [was] extremely dedicated to her brothers and sisters, and you could never decide if she was a mama's girl or a daddy's girl. She [held] a special bond with each and every one of her five siblings,' her grieving aunt stated. 'Mourning the loss of such a beautiful soul will be a daily task for the rest of our lives. Joeylin [was] one of a kind and will never be forgotten.' Her father, Jeremy McDonald, posted several images of his late daughter to Facebook and wrote about his 'beautiful baby girl.' 'You are my beautiful baby girl I'm losing my mind not being able to hear your voice and it's crazy I miss you yelling at me stomping your feet at me when you didn't get your way, I miss your beautiful smile when you walked into the room, Joeylin daddy and mommy miss you so much,' Jeremy said. On Saturday, Joeylin's mother, Lauren McDonald, said her 'beautiful sweet girl became and angel tonight.' 'Please pray for my other babies for healing. We are all feeling broken right now. Joeylin there won't be a day you don't cross our minds. We love you sweet girl,' she added. A Meal Train donation page has been created to help her family during this challenging time. 'She was the light in the dark, the stars in the sky. She will be greatly missed,' the page said. As of Tuesday morning, more than $800 had been raised. It is unclear when her funeral will be.
