A 12-year-old student from Canyon Lake Middle School in California lost his life after being allegedly forced to run in extreme temperatures during a gym class session.
Yahshua Robinson, 12, who was being punished for not wearing his gym attire, was told to run, despite expressing discomfort and requesting water from his teacher. Temperatures were in the low to mid 90’s and his classmates said that he mentioned difficulty in breathing before collapsing.
Emergency services were called to the scene and Yahshua was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta, California, about 10 miles away from the school. He was declared dead at 12:55 pm.
Amarna Plummer, the boy’s aunt, expressed her disbelief, questioning why the boy was made to run in such heat, especially without the right gym clothes.
Notably, Yahshua’s mother, also a gym teacher, had advised neighboring schools against outdoor physical activities due to the heat. Later, she received a call about her son’s death.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident. The Lake Elsinore Unified School District extended its sympathies to the Robinson family.
A GoFundMe page has been started by Plummer to support the family.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted the risks of heat-related illnesses in children, emphasizing their increased vulnerability compared to adults.
The Robinson family now awaits the autopsy report, seeking answers.
