NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Family members of Newport News teen Kaleiah Jones announced they are suing the Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) division and the City of Newport News after the student's February death.
Kaleiah, 16, collapsed in the hallway at Menchville High School on February 20. According to her family, no school staff rendered aid for nine minutes, despite knowing about the medical incident immediately.
On Thursday, Kaleiah's mother, Keyonna Stewart is joining attorneys Ben Crump and Mark Krudys to announce the lawsuit. The legal team said the school division is guilty of gross negligence and that Kaleiah's death could have been prevented.
The family is asking for $85 million for compensatory damages from the school division and city. The City of Newport News is included in the lawsuit because the Student Resource Officer (SRO) at the school is affiliated with the city.
13News Now has reached out to NNPS and the City of Newport News for comment.