Chesterfield County police are investigating the death of a 7-year-old Hopkins Road Elementary school student who went into cardiac arrest after apparently suffering an allergic reaction.
Authorities received an emergency call from the school at 2:26 p.m. Monday. The child was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived and she was pronounced dead after being taken to Chippenham Medical Center, said Chesterfield police Lt. Randy Horowitz.
Investigators are waiting a report from the State Medical Examiner’s Office on the child’s cause of death.
Horowitz said school records indicate the child had an allergy problem, but he declined to provide specifics.
Chesterfield Fire & EMS Lt. Jason Elmore said medical personnel believe the girl had an allergic reaction to something she ate.
Chesterfield schools spokesman Shawn Smith said the girl died of a pre-existing medical condition.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," Smith said. "The school division will continue to provide additional services to support students and staff in this difficult time."
(This has been a breaking news update. Check back for more details as they become available. Read more in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.)
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