On the day of his death, Yahushua Robinson was running sprints at his middle school in Lake Elsinore, California, which had reached a high of 104 degrees
A 12-year-old boy who collapsed and died during his middle school gym class had a heart defect.
According to a coroner’s report obtained by The Press-Enterprise, Yahushua Robinson died of “coronary artery anomaly” on Aug. 29, 2023. On the day of his death, Yahushua was running sprints at Canyon Lake Middle School, located in Lake Elsinore, California, which reached a high of 104 degrees, per KTLA.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital after going into cardiac arrest, according to a GoFundMe campaign previously set up on behalf of his family.
The coroner’s report states that “significant conditions” contributing to Yahushua’s death included “presumptive environmental heat exposure and recent physical exertion,” per The Press-Enterprise.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Lake Elsinore Unified School District for comment.
Yahushua’s death inspired Senator Melissa Hurtado to introduce California Senate Bill 1248, also known as “Yahushua’s Law,” on Feb. 15.
If passed, the bill would require the California Department of Education to “establish uniform guidelines and requirements for public schools in order to ensure the protection of pupils from physical activity during extreme weather conditions.”
Hurtado said in a press release that the bill is a way to minimize children’s exposure to extreme weather.
“I commend the family of Yahushua Robinson, the twelve year student who lost his life due to heat related illness during on-campus physical education, for lending their emotional strength and compassion for others in order to help ensure that no other student loses their life this way,” her statement continued.
Christina Laster, a Robinson family representative and advocate, added in her own statement included in the release that the bill accurately represents Yahushua’s character.
“The law reflects his spirit by requiring schools to implement preventive systems and stop outdoor activities during environmental hazards,” her statement read. “This law symbolizes a commitment to child safety and the embodiment of Yahushua’s values in recognizing our shared humanity within every student. It is an actionable promise to prioritize student well-being, honor the life of Yahushua, and prevent future tragedies.”
https://people.com/12-year-old-boy-who-collapsed-in-p-e-had-heart-defect-coroner-says-8620122