NAMS student's death due to heart defect 4/1/2009 12:09 AM
By KAREN DAILY and BILL BENGTSON Staff writers
The 14-year-old North Augusta student who died Monday after collapsing in gym class likely suffered from a congenital heart defect that officials said can develop gradually and without any symptoms.
James "Cody" Fox, of North Augusta, died from an irregular heartbeat due to left ventricular hypertrophy, or what Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said is an enlargement of the muscular tissue of the left ventricle.
Despite working for nearly an hour to save the life of Fox, the teenager was pronounced dead at the Medical College of Georgia's Children's hospital around 10:56 a.m., Carlton said.
The eighth-grader had completed a 200-yard "slow run" with classmates during a routine physical education jogging exercise on the outdoor track when he collapsed near his physical education teacher, officials said.
The teacher, Richard Bush, and the school nurse immediately began CPR on the teenager until EMS took over chest compressions. Emergency medical crews took Fox to the Medical College of Georgia where doctors continued lifesaving measures for another 45 minutes before pronouncing him dead.
Area 2 Assistant Superintendent Rosie Berry said the Aiken County School District's crisis response team came to the middle school, along with other Area 2 counselors. They assisted North Augusta Middle School counselors in consoling students upset by their classmate's death. Those services will continue as needed, Berry said.
"We've also had community support through Public Safety and youth ministers from the faith-based community," she said. "Cody was a student of quality who played rec. ball and focused on his school work. He did very well in school."
She added the overwhelming response of folks in North Augusta demonstrated the "school is an extension of the community and the community is an extension of the school."
Fox's local acquaintances included David Sons, middle-school pastor at First Baptist Church of North Augusta. Sons described the NAMS eighth-grader as "a great kid" who recently came to faith in Christ. He recalled having spoken to several of Fox's classmates and getting the idea that the teen was "always quick to be friendly and smile, and ... will be sorely missed." He added, "I'm thankful for the time that I had to spend with him, and just the few conversations that he and I had."
Petric Blocker, who coached Fox through the Belvedere Braves squad in Dixie Youth baseball, described him as "just a genuine young man" - mild-mannered and always ready with a kind word. "He was always a team player - never complained about playing a certain position. Wherever I put him, he played."
Blocker's son, Jordan, a 13-year-old seventh-grader at North Augusta Middle School, added, "He was smart. He was good in class. He made all As and he was always smiling. He was never sad or anything like that. Like, when he walked into the gym, he was always happy."
Martiese Griffin, a 14-year-old in eighth grade at the school, recalled knowing Cody as a schoolmate and also a baseball teammate - "a good student, a good friend," in his words.
Griffin said that Tuesday's school activities included having teachers allow time for students to discussion the situation. Some students also distributed "bluish-turquoise" bracelets in the teen's memory.
The color was apparently Fox's favorite, he said, adding that some students wore black to school Tuesday in connection with the death, and Wednesday's plan was for wearing black and blue. "We just don't want to forget," he said.
Calling this a "hurting time" for everyone, Berry said she hoped it would be a "healing time" as well as the school works to keep some level of "normalcy" during the week. She noted the faculty as well as the students are going through a heartbreaking time. She mentioned one 36-year veteran teacher who saw Fox the period before he collapsed.
"She said this was her first experience with such a tragedy in all her years of teaching," said Berry. And at the other side of the career curve is P.E. teacher Bush.
"We're working to reassure him he did all he could do," she said of his efforts to save Cody. We just have to cherish the time we have with our students," she said, acknowledging that probably nothing is more devastating than losing a child.
In a news release, Berry and Aiken County Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt extended their sympathies to the student's family, as well as his classmates, faculty and staff at the school.
News editor Phyllis Britt contributed to this story.
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Comment Title: james fox
Cody was a good guy. He was always a joy to be around because he was always happy and always had a smile on his face. He was also a great student. His sister is in my grade and she was always talking about him, you could tell that they had a very good relationship. I met cody through some other good friends, me and cody was becoming really great friends untill i found out the tragic that morning. He will be missed!
Posted by: Angel Williams from fox creek high school On: 4/3/2009
Comment Title: i am so sorry
i am so sorry to hear about our son. i will be praying for your family.
Posted by: Katelin Darby On: 4/1/2009
Comment Title: r.i.p. cody
hi im katelin im a former nams student in eighth grade at pkms and when i went to school with cody he was a very cool person he was always nice to everyone an always smiled his spirit will always be here he will never be forgotten in our hearts im very sorry for the family and schools loss he was a great person much love Katelin
Posted by: On: 4/1/2009
Comment Title: Prayer for his family
I am devasted to hear of the passing of the middle shool youth. I have bEGGED aiken COunty for over 10 yrs to put defibrillators in the schools ( I have a niece with Long qt syndrome) and they never had the money. but we had money for IB programs and various NEW sports teams. its time Aiken County FINALLY puts the students FIRST and put defibrillators in the schools!
Posted by: SOMEONE'S MAMA On: 4/1/2009
Comment Title: SO SAD
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS FAMILY FOR THEIR LOSS AND TO THE SCHOOL FOR THEIR LOSS. THIS IS SO SAD. CODY SEEMED LIKE A SPECIAL BOU WHO MADE EVERYONE HAPPY. HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED BY EVERYONE. I AM PRAYING FOR EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM.
Posted by: On: 4/1/2009
Comment Title: In his memory...
maybe the students at NAMS could have a fundraiser to purchase an atrial defibrillator so that perhaps this tragedy could be prevented from happening again to another child. RIP Cody
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