A teenage student at Dunwoody High School tragically lost her life following a medical emergency, leading to the arrest of another juvenile on charges related to her death. The DeKalb County School District Police confirmed they have taken a minor into custody, who faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
The incident that occurred on Monday left 15-year-old Mia Dieguez in cardiac arrest, as indicated by the DeKalb County Fire Department. The high school went into lockdown mode to quickly administer help and limit movement. In the conflicted aftermath, the community is now beginning to piece together the narrative of loss and accountability, as jarring as it may be to some. According to a statement by 11Alive, grief counselors were made available for students struggling in the wake of the tragedy.
In a poignant post on Facebook, Mia's sister Pamela Dieguez pronounced an arrest had been made in connection with her sister's death, hoping for justice for her "baby sister." The arrested juvenile's identity remains undisclosed due to minor status and was subsequently transported to the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center. While the school's principal, Tom Bass, kept a respectful silence on the details, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation and assured the provision of emotional support through additional counseling. "Our deepest sympathies remain with the student's loved ones during this challenging period," Bass wrote in a letter mentioned by 11Alive.
Pamela Dieguez remembered her sister fondly, speaking of Mia's aspirations to join the military and recalling her great sense of humor. A GoFundMe set up to help the family with funeral expenses described Mia as a very loving and caring person who was guarded about letting people into her circle. "She wasn't a person to always let things out, to speak out, or let anybody in her circle, but you could always tell she was excited for things that she had planned outside of high school," Dieguez told FOX 5 Atlanta. The fundraiser has since far exceeded its initial goal, signaling the community's solidarity amidst overwhelming grief.
As the school and its surrounding community continue to mourn, students planned to release balloons in Mia’s honor, a symbol of remembrance and collective mourning. As the investigation by DCSD investigators is still underway, details may yet unfold to illuminate the full circumstance of the incident that cut short the life of a student poised on the edge of her potential.
