Family speaks out about symptoms after boy, 11, dies from flu despite telling loved ones he ‘was fine’
The family of an 11-year-old boy from Alabama have spoken out after he died following a flu diagnosis despite telling his family he was 'fine' just days earlier.
Jace Watkins, from Birmingham, Alabama, has been described by those who knew him as a 'bright light to everyone'; someone with a 'sweet genuine smile'.
He didn't have any major underlying health issues, but one week before Christmas Jace became sick and went to the doctor the following day.
The fifth grader was told his lungs sounded clear, and he returned home that same day.
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His aunt, Sabrina Parsons, told Fox8Live: “He was a premature baby, but other than that, he’s had inhalers and stuff, but that’s been years ago. He was telling everybody he was fine, he felt fine. And then, I guess he started throwing up that night and had a seizure."
Jace experienced the seizure on December 20, after which he was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Children’s of Alabama.
Doctors said Jace had the flu, but his condition worsened as, at one point, he stopped breathing.
A GoFundMe page set up for the family says Jace was hooked up to a ventilator and it became unclear whether he had brain activity. The family explained that the 11-year-old had experienced swelling in his brain which had not subsided, and subsequently prevented adequate oxygen from reaching his brain.
On December 27, Jace passed away at around 9:40pm local time.
An update on the GoFundMe page reads: "The family truly appreciates all the prayers and love that you all have given. We are leaving this fundraiser open to assist with medical bills and laying our sweet Jace to rest. Please continue to pray for strength and understanding for the family."
The page adds that any monetary contributions will be 'treasured', but asks anyone who does not have the means to donate to consider 'sending all the prayers you can'.
Jace's grandfather, Scott Parsons, told Fox8Live the situation was overwhelming and difficult to process.
Cari McClellan, the principal of Hueytown Intermediate school, which Jace attended, released a statement in the wake of his death which said the community's hearts are 'broken'.
"5th grader Jace Watkins passed away last night after a brief and sudden illness," the statement said. "There really aren’t words to adequately describe what we’re feeling right now. Jace was a bright light to everyone who knew him. His sweet genuine smile will be missed by all. Please continue to pray for his family, and our school family, as we all work to navigate this unimaginable loss.”
If you'd like to donate to the GoFundMe for Jace's family, you can do so here.
Emily Brown