Teen who suddenly died after cheer competition had strep throat - New York Post

May 01, 2019 at 02:03AM

The 13-year-old Kentucky cheerleader who died hours after a competition, passed away from complications of a strep throat, her autopsy revealed.

Lilliana SchalckFacebook

Lilliana Schalck, an eighth-grader at Highlands Middle School, was unknowingly battling strep throat as she prepared to compete at a Feb. 23 event in Columbus, Ohio, the Courier-Journal reported.

While warming up for her routine, the teen's hands reportedly became numb and her feet started to tingle.

"I kind of took her aside, was maybe going to get her some fluids," her father, Dan Schalck told ABC News. "She was just getting kind of weaker, just not acting herself."

The cheerleader was rushed to the emergency room, where she died just hours of falling ill.

Two months later, an autopsy determined the teen had a case of strep throat that led to sepsis, or blood poisoning, according to ABC.

"Apparently an underlying strep infection overwhelmed her immune system with little or no warning, and (resulted in) catastrophic results," her family said in a statement.

The family said they "wouldn't wish this nightmare on anyone" — but thanked their community for the "outpouring love and support."

"We are so thankful, and honestly overwhelmed, by those that have reached out and continue to find new ways to support Lilliana's memory on an almost daily basis," the statement said.