Vigil Held For Girl With Asthma Who Died After Being Sent Home Sick
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Dozens gathered for a vigil in front of the School District of Philadelphia headquarters Thursday night, honoring a 12-year-old girl with asthma who died last month.
As an SRC meeting was going on inside, there was a candlelight vigil in the rain outside, remembering Laporshia Massey, a sixth grader who was not feeling well and was sent home sick from Bryant Elementary School, which did not have a nurse on duty.
"This loss has shaken us all," one of the organizers, Nurse Eileen Duffy, said.
Duffy spoke to dozens who gathered, including Laporshia's family.
"Her life is like a candle in the wind. Her life is gone from us too soon, too sudden," Laporshia's great-aunt Savonia said.
Savonia says the family needs prayers as they try to sort out the young girl's final hours.
"She's not really at rest either. I wish that someone could hear her voice."
The family attorney says Bryant Elementary, not having a nurse on duty because of budget cuts, sent the girl home after she wasn't feeling well, and her father later took her to the hospital. As questions are without answers for the family, this they do know.
"Laporshia is loved, Laporshia is missed," Savonia said.
Superintendent William Hite offered condolences and prayers to Massey's family during the SRC meeting.
