Dunwoody High student dies following medical emergency, principal says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Grief counselors will be on the Dunwoody High School campus Tuesday as students return to class for the first time since the sudden death of a fellow student.

The 15-year-old student died Monday following a medical emergency.

The emergency led to the closure of the school and the students, detained until their dismissal.

“We understand the seriousness of the situation and shared the news with our students, teachers and staff this afternoon,” Dunwoody High Principal Tom Bass wrote in a letter to parents. “We are providing the resources and personnel necessary to assist staff in providing grief counseling and are here to offer support to anyone affected by this tragedy. »

Firefighters said the girl suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to the hospital. The principal said he would not release any information about the circumstances of the student’s death.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the student’s loved ones during this difficult time,” Bass wrote.

The dead student’s sister, Paola Covarrubias, said her sister Mia overdosed. Right now, Covarrubias believes Mia overdosed on a pill containing fentanyl.

“We’re trying to catch the person who sold him the drugs,” Covarrubias told Atlanta News First reporter Madeline Montgomery.

“It just shows that there is a very serious drug problem,” said 10th grader Thomas Tran.

“It doesn’t surprise me that teenagers are doing drugs on campus. Especially as we get closer to finals week,” said Long Tran, Dunwoody state representative and father of Thomas. “The pressure is going to be there and for some students, they are looking for an edge. »

Mia was in the 10th grade at Dunwoody High School, according to Covarrubias.

The principal said this happened while many students were taking tests and added that the school was closed to limit movement within the building.

“We saw kindergartners coming and going. The teachers were pushing us out of the building,” said student Mia Moore.

Moore said students were allowed into the auditorium after one hour.

Check back with Atlanta News First for updates on this developing story.

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