A 22-month-old toddler died while at her grandparents home in South Carolina after a dresser she was attempting to climb toppled over and fell on top of her.
Emergency services were immediately called to rescue Ja’Laya Bryant from Calhoun Falls after she went into cardiac arrest when she became trapped under the massive piece of furniture.
The youngster suffered severe injuries after she was essentially crushed by the dresser.
Anderson County EMS, Medshore EMS, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.
The little girl was discovered by family members at the home while she was underneath the overturned dresser drawer.
Ja’Laya Bryant, aged 22 months, suffered severe injuries after a dresser she had been climbing toppled over and landed on top of her leaving her unable to breathe
Ja’Laya Bryant is pictured together with her mother Jordan Donaldson
EMS personnel rushed the child to Prisma Health Trauma Services in Columbia, South Carolina, but despite their efforts the girl was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Anderson County Child Death Investigation Task Force has opened an investigation into the child’s death.
Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown said told WSPA that preliminary findings suggest Ja’Laya died from asphyxiation, with no evidence indicating foul play.
Writing on Facebook on Monday, her great aunt pleaded with other families to check that heavy furniture was bolted to the floor, to prevent similar accidents from occurring.
The little girl suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the massive piece of furniture trapping her causing death by asphyxiation
The toddler had been at her grandparents home in South Carolina when the accident occurred
‘My family needs prayer like none other. Yesterday my great-great niece climbed on a dresser that toppled over and fell on top of her. They were not able to save her.
‘PLEASE PLEASE- double check that your furniture it bolted to the wall, doors are closed to keep our littles safe!’ her aunt Debra Putnam-Thompson wrote online.
‘My beautiful great-great niece, Ja’Laya, 20 months old, loved by everyone with her attitude and precious personality! Life will never be the same, but by Gods grace we will persevere!’
‘Thank Y’all For All The Calls And Text, We Just Gotta Take It One Day At A Time ! I Know Everyone Wants To See Me, But I Need Space … My World Is Upside Down,’ wrote Ja’Laya’s mother, Jordan Donaldson.
Other friends and family members posted tributes and messages of condolence to the family.
‘Sending up prayers to a classmate and her family during this time. Such a sweet little girl gone too soon from this world. Heaven just got a little sweeter. Praying so hard for you,’ wrote one well-wisher.
‘Such A Pretty Girl , Rest In Paradise Baby Girl. Y’all Send A Prayer Up For My Cf Ppl. It’s Never Easy Losing A Child,’ added another.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
