PEOPLE.COM – Jace Watkins died on Saturday, Dec. 27, after being hospitalized due to complications from the flu, according to Fox 8.
The boy received treatment from the Children’s of Alabama intensive care unit. During his illness, he suffered seizures and had trouble breathing.
Earlier in the week, his family said he was not receiving enough oxygen to his brain due to swelling.
Watkins’ aunt, Sabrina Parsons, said he had no underlying health issues, per Fox 8. “He was a premature baby, but other than that, he’s had inhalers and stuff, but that’s been years ago,” she said. “He was telling everybody he was fine, he felt fine. And then, I guess he started throwing up that night and had a seizure.”
Watkins was a fifth-grade student at Hueytown Intermediate School. The school’s principal Cari McClellan shared an emotional statement in honor of the boy via Facebook on Dec. 28, writing,
“Our hearts are broken this morning. … Jace Watkins passed away last night after a brief and sudden illness. There really aren’t words to adequately describe what we’re feeling right now.”
McClellan continued,
“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.”
A family friend organized a community prayer vigil for the boy on Dec. 23, the school shared in a previous statement.
A GoFundMe created for Watkins and his family has raised more than $6,000 so far …
