Jersey City

Boy, 4, Dies After Nap at Jersey City School

What to Know

  • A 4-year-old child died after being found unresponsive after a nap at a Jersey City school Thursday afternoon, schools officials said
  • The boy was in pre-K at the Rafael de J. Cordero School PS 37 and was found unresponsive after the afternoon nap
  • The boy has not been identified; it's not clear if he had an underlying medical condition

A 4-year-old child died after being found unresponsive after a nap at a Jersey City school Thursday afternoon, schools officials said.

School staff found the boy, who was in pre-K at the Rafael de J. Cordero School PS 37, unresponsive after the afternoon nap, according to officials. 

EMS rushed the boy to the hospital, where he was declared dead. 

In a letter sent to parents Thursday, principal Derek Stanton wrote, "Some of you may have seen EMS at dismissal today. It is with great sadness we need to inform you that one of our Pre-K 4 students has passed. We do not have any details to share at this time. Our prayers are with the family. Tomorrow we will have grief counselors on site." 

President of the Board of Education Sudhan Thomas the they were "devastated" to hear about the boy's death.

"Our immediate focus is on the child’s parents and the larger PS37 family to ensure they get the support and attention this tragedy demands, " Thomas said. "The Board is united, in this moment of terrible tragedy, with the PS37 family. We request prayers and privacy at this sad moment.”

The boy has not been identified. It's not clear if he had an underlying medical condition. 

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