Latest news with #RMSER
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Terrifying final moments of teen beauty queen who plunged 25ft to death
Joeylin McDonald, 13, died on Friday, April 18, after she fell about 25ft through an attic floor and down into the gym below - police are investigating the circumstances around the fall A 13-year-old schoolgirl has died after plunging though and attic floor and falling 25ft to her death. Joeylin McDonald reportedly fell 25ft through a ceiling and down to the gym below during an after-school programme. Police said they were alerted to reports of a fall at about 7pm on the Friday. When they arrived, officers pronounced Joeylin dead at the scene. An investigation is being carried out to determine the circumstances around the fall. Joeylin and her friends had been exploring the area 'unsupervised'. Police told the Daily Mail that she and four others went upstairs and found a ladder which lead to the attic. After climbing up, they walked across the wooden beams inside, but Joeyline "fell through the ceiling, dropping approximately 25 feet to the gym floor below." The Connect Charter School student had been attending a Rocky Mountain Service, Employment and Redevelopment (RMSER) youth event in Pueblo, Colorado, on Friday, April 18. She is said to have loved learning and was previously crowned Miss Spirit 2024. She was the third of six siblings and a fundraiser for her funeral and other expenses has been organised in her memory. Her family penned a heart-breaking statement, praising Joeylin as "smart, headstrong" and "beautiful. The statement said: "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. "Joeylin is a student at Connect in Pueblo. She is all about education like her mama. This coming weekend, her team will be competing at the State History Day competition. Joeylin has many friends who honoured her at school today (Tuesday) by wearing her favourite colour, pink. "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 is 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 loves the pageant and was involved with lots of community services around Pueblo. "Joeylin dances for Sarah Shaw. She has been dancing for many years, jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballet. She has a recital coming up in May. She has been dancing since she was 7 years old. "The most important part of Joeylin is her family. She is 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 holds a special bond with each and every one of her five siblings. Mourning the loss of such a beautiful soul will be a daily task for the rest of our lives. Joeylin is one of a kind and will never be forgotten." Following the announcement of Joeylin's tragic death, RMSER of Pueblo also issued a statement praising the teen. "It is with profoundly broken hearts that we at RMSER mournfully share with you the heart-breaking news of a tragic loss within our community.," the statement said. "On Friday evening, during a Youth Kickback event at the Pueblo RMSER Empowerment Center, 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 you all to join us in lifting in loving support and deep prayer Joeylin, her family, friends, and all who are grieving during this unimaginable time. "Due to the investigation that is happening, RMSER Pueblo Empowerment Center is CLOSED until at least Monday, April 29, 2025 - this cancellation includes the RMSER Pantry. Specifically, RMSER will inform you when the Center reopens. Thank you for your understanding and patience."
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Girl, 13, dies after falling 25ft through attic in freak accident on Easter weekend
Police cfficers responded to reports of a juvenile who "had fallen through the ceiling of the gym at RMSER during a youth 'kickback' event featuring various activities" A 13-year-old girl has died after falling through the floor of an attic during a youth event over the Easter weekend, according to reports. The devastating incident happend on Friday, April 18, at 7pm local time when Pueblo Police Department rushed to the Rocky Mountain SER (RMSER) after- school head start program in Pueblo. Upon arrival officers pronounced the young girl dead at the scene despite best efforts to save her life. According to KRDO and Fox affiliate KXRM-TV the family have identified the girl who died as Joeylin Kenley McDonald. As reported by USA TODAY, Pueblo Police Department confirmed officers responded to reports of a juvenile who "had fallen through the ceiling of the gym at RMSER during a youth 'kickback' event featuring various activities" shortly after 7pm on April 18. Upon investigation, it was determined that the 13-year-old, "along with four others, had been exploring the second floor of the building unsupervised." "While there, the group discovered a room with a ladder leading up to the attic," police said. "As they walked across the wooden beams in the attic, a 13-year-old fell through the ceiling, dropping approximately 25 feet to the gym floor below." A GoFundMe page has been launched to help Joeylin's family during this challenging time. A tribute from the McDonald and Chambres family left on the page read: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the sudden and unimaginable loss of Joeylin, a bright, loving, and vibrant 13-year-old girl who was taken far too soon. "Joeylin was the kind of person who lit up every room she entered. Full of life and joy, she loved to dance and brought laughter and positivity wherever she went. She was not only fun-loving and kind but also an exceptional student with a future full of promise. Recently honored as Mrs. Spirit 2024, Joeylin embodied strength, spirit, and grace in everything she did. She was truly a remarkable young girl — a daughter, a friend, and a light to so many. "Her passing has left an unfillable void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. As her family navigates this heartbreaking time, they are also faced with unexpected financial burdens — including funeral expenses, time away from work to grieve, and other costs related to this unimaginable tragedy. "We're asking for your support to help ease those burdens and allow her family the time and space they need to heal. Every donation, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated. If you're unable to give, please consider sharing this campaign. Your love, prayers, and generosity mean the world during this time of sorrow. At this time, services are still pending." In a statement shared with KRDO and KXRM-TV, the Rocky Mountain SER said that McDonald died during a youth kickback event — calling it a 'tragic loss' to the community. Adding: "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."
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
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
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. Show Caption Hide Caption Watch teenager save her father's life after tragedy via organ donation 13-year-old Symaria Glenn died unexpectedly. Her family opted to donate her organs and save the lives of five people including her own father. USA Today 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@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
