Galesburg police say that a six year old male who was a first grader at Steele Elementary School was found unresponsive in his home shortly before 3:30 a.m. today and was later pronounced dead.
It was confirmed this afternoon that the boy was Jaden Lester.
Police Capt. Rod Riggs says the child was unresponsive when authorities arrived on scene in the 600 block of W. First Street and that it is currently unclear how he died.
Lester was taken to Galesburg Cottage Hospital where Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas later pronounced him dead.
District 205 Superintendent Ralph Grimm spent much of the morning at Steele today, making sure staff, students and the boy’s family were attended to.
Paraphrasing comments by Steele Principal Matt Lingafelter, Grimm tells WGIL, “Jaden was a happy, go-lucky little boy who was liked by his peers,” Grimm says. “(Lingafelter) has described him as a Steele school superstar.”
Grimm says emotional relief was brought into the school as well.
“We contacted Regional Superintendent Jodi Scott who brought in her Student Crisis Assistance Team–that’s volunteer counselors and clergy members,” Grimm says.
Grimm says it’s too early to know if any memorial assembly or dedication will be planned, but he expects the district will do something to honor the student.
An investigation is on-going.
Updated at 3:12 p.m. to reflect comments from Superintendent Ralph Grimm and to identify the child as Jaden Lester.
