Cause released for child death at South Phila. school

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA -- Authorities have released the cause of death for a child who died at a South Philadelphia elementary school earlier this week.

Sebastian Gerena, 7, died of a congenital heart defect, authorities said on Friday morning.

Spokesman James Garrow of the Philadelphia Department of Health said it was an "anomalous origin of the left coronary artery," a condition that researchers say can lead to sudden death among the young.

Gerena collapsed around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Andrew Jackson Elementary School.

School officials say there was no school nurse on duty and trained staff members administered CPR.

Gerena was taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he was pronounced dead.

District officials say Jackson Elementary, a school of about 450 students, only has a nurse on Thursdays and every other Friday.

The school district says they will have grief counselors available to students for as long as they are needed.

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, some parents gathered in front of the school to question the safety of their children.

"Yesterday, there just happened to be a CPR-certified staff member and a retirted nurse volunteering at the school, who worked desperately with others and first responders to try and save this child's life," said Melissa Wilde. "But who will be there next time?"

The parents group "Friends of Jackson" is now asking the district to put a full time nurse and a full time counselor in every city school.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.