HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins said the district is heartbroken by the death of Hezekiah Walters and that the district is making changes after completing their investigation into how this happened.
- Hezekiah athlete clearance forms weren't complete
- His temperature was 102 degrees before he passed out
- The head coach and assistant principal have been transferred to another school
The teen had a temperature of 102 degrees before he passed out and later died.
In a letter from the attorney Hezekiah's family sent the school, it said, “On the first day his father made it known to the coaching staff that Hezekiah had never participated in rigorous physical training and would need appropriate instruction, supervision and guidance while being gradually conditioned."
Monday, Superintendent Jeff Eakins held a press conference to share more about the school district's investigation and the changes they plan to make so that this doesn't happen again.
"I was fortunate to have met him and I am sad that he is gone," said Superintendent Eakins.
He went on to say, the investigation found that records on Hezekiah's student athlete clearance forms were incomplete, even though they believe he had a physical done for the school year.
The investigation found that records on his student athlete clearance forms were incomplete, even though they believe he had a physical done for the school year.
The investigation also shows that he did not submit paperwork saying he had watched a mandatory heat safety video.
Eakins stated that the assistant principal and coach at the school at the time had incomplete records on student paperwork and found other student’s paperwork were not complete.
"That Assistant Principal has been demoted," Eakins said. "He’s been transferred to another school in a different role. He will no longer be responsible for student athlete records. The head coach was not there the day of the incident. However, he had been there on previous conditioning days. He has been transferred to another school. He will no longer be a coach."
Eakins is now pushing for full time athletic trainers at every school. As of now, only half of the high schools have volunteer athletic trainers.
He will make this recommendation to the school board at their August board meeting.
As for Hezekiah's parents, in the letter, their attorney asked the school district to provide all documentation of the football activities and workouts Hezekiah was asked to do, all names of students, coaches and faculty at the conditioning, any and all video records, and all records from any defibrillator or other medical equipment used.
Hezekiah’s parent’s attorney says, “On the first day his father made it known to the coaching staff that Hezekiah had never participated in rigorous physical training and would need appropriate instruction, supervision and guidance while being gradually conditioned.
Eakins said that a defibrillator was not used. "When Hezekiah collapsed, coaches said he was breathing... so it was not used. they poured cold water on him and immediately called 911," said Eakins.
Parents can expect an email today letting them know when their child is taking part in after school activities, along with a message that Hillsborough County schools will be putting student safety above everything else.
Eakins closed by saying the school board will continue to send thoughts and prayers to Walter’s family.
(Photo of 14-year-old Hezekiah Walters)