A Manatee County girl, diagnosed with meningitis last month, has passed away. On Sunday, Essence Winkfield, 4, lost her battle with the disease.

"She fought for a whole month, there was just no way she could continue," said Belinda Dangerfield, the girl's mother. "We didn't want her to suffer anymore.

Dangerfield, said they had to make the difficult decision to take her off of life support, after realizing she wasn't going to make it. It is unknown at this time how she caught the illness.

Essence, was a VPK student at Manatee Elementary School in Bradenton. Her parents said she started feeling sick the first weekend of February.

They said after noticing she had a fever, they gave her Motrin and told her to rest.

But, after she developed a rash and became lethargic, they knew something was wrong. They rushed her to the hospital and that's when they learned just how sick she was.

"I thought she was sick, but I didn't think she was dying," said Rodrick Winkfield, the girl's father.

Essence stayed was hospitalized for a month before losing her battle with the disease. Her parents are now warning other parents to be aware of the symptoms and get help for your child immediately if you suspect something is wrong.

"I wish we could have gotten on top of this sooner, maybe she would have had a fighting chance," said Dangerfield. "If you see your child sick, even a cold, it could be anything.  Take them to the hospital, doctor, or take them somewhere. You never know."

Her family is now struggling with the idea of living without her.

"I couldn't do nothing for her," said Winkfield. "We tried our best. We just ran out of time and options."

Essence leaves behind her mom and dad, and four older brothers.

"The only thing that gives me peace about my baby is I know she is not suffering," said Dangerfield. "I know she's with God and that's the only thing giving me peace right now."

The family had health insurance, but no life insurance. They said because of all of the work they missed while Essence was in the hospital, they're struggling financially and worried about paying for her funeral expenses.

Funeral services for Essence will be held in Saturday, March 7th at the Faith Temple Cogic Church in Palmetto, at 11 a.m.