Mother of 12-year-old boy who died at NJ football practice claims no one knew CPR, ambulance delayed

NEWARK, NJ — A heartbroken Newark mother is demanding answers after her 12-year-old son collapsed and died during soccer practice.

No one at the front desk knew how to do CPR and the ambulance was delayed, Raven Brown told CBS2.

“I’m numb right now. I’ve been crying,” said Brown.

Her oldest son, Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia, died after going to youth soccer practice at West Side Park with his younger brother on Friday after school. He had no prior health problems, Brown said.

Elia’s brother called their mother after she fell.

“He said they were throwing water on him and fanning him,” Brown said.

According to Brown, people on the field called 911 twice, and he called a third time and rushed over. An ambulance arrived about 30 to 40 minutes later, he said.

Elijah was pronounced dead at University Hospital and the family is awaiting the results of an autopsy, Brown told us.

Brown said he asked the team’s Essex County Predators coach why no one seemed to know what to do.

“And he said none of us are CPR certified,” said Brown.

The coach has since promised to get everyone CPR certified, Brown said. However, no league executive or representative from the Bloomfield-based Big 21 could be reached for comment.

We reached out to the City of Newark for information about the alleged ambulance delay. The spokesperson referred us to the sheriff’s office and then we were referred to the county attorney who told us they were not investigating.

The city and sheriff had no comment. A hospital spokesperson said they could not comment due to protected health information.

New Jersey schools must have defibrillators in practice and at least one person trained in CPR. But they are not required at private youth sporting events.

In 2015, former Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have required them everywhere.

“Those coaches have to be CPR certified,” Brown said. “He was a great kid, a wonderful, amazing kid, and he didn’t deserve this.”

“He enjoyed playing soccer. He enjoyed dancing. He was a big brother to his siblings,” said Zeneida Garcia, Elia’s aunt.

On Saturday, a memorial to Elijah and the release of balloons are planned on the field.

According to the American Heart Association, only eight percent of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive. But immediate CPR by a bystander can double or even triple your chances of survival.

Click here to learn more about heart health.