In a tragic news story, an 8-year-old girl from Boynton Beach, Florida has died to due injuries she sustained after drinking boiling hot water on a dare.
Ki'ari Pope had complained to her mother's boyfriend late Sunday that she could not breathe, according to records obtained by the Florida Department of Children and Families. A few minutes later, the young girl became unresponsive, according to the boyfriend. Medical crews rushed Ki'ari to the hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at 12:15 a.m. on Monday.
State records indicate that Pope burned her mouth and throat in March after being dared by her cousin to drink boiling water through a straw. DCF records claim she was "Medically Compromised," according to My Palm Beach Post. She was given a tracheostomy, but the surgery left her with several complications, including breathing problems.
Sadly, state authorities investigated the March incident and uncovered at least nine other allegations of abuse or neglect since Pope's birth -- four of which took place within the last seven months.
Because of these incidents, state officials say they'll be looking into Pope's death.
"The loss of this child is truly devastating and our condolences go out to all those who loved her," Department Secretary Mike Carroll said in a statement. "We have opened a child death investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding her death and will deploy Critical Incident Rapid Response Team to review all interactions this family has had with Florida's child welfare system."
In the aftermath of the death, Pope's family launched a GoFundMe effort asking for help with her funeral costs, claiming that due to her tracheostomy, insurance will not be covering the expense.
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