Douglas County prosecutors will not file charges in the death of 12-year-old Jada West, who collapsed after a fight with another student in March, District Attorney Dalia Racine announced Monday.
Racine said a Georgia Bureau of Investigation autopsy found that the Mason Creek Middle School student had an underlying genetic heart condition. The stress of the argument or fight could have contributed to her death, but medical findings could not establish a definitive link.
Investigators also could not determine who started the fight, Racine said. Those findings helped shape the decision to close the case without charges.
West’s family said through their attorneys that they were “incredibly disappointed” by the decision, according to CBS News. They maintain that the fight worsened her condition and caused her death.
“The simple fact is that Jada’s genetic condition was exacerbated because she was attacked at the school bus stop,” their statement read. “In other words, if she hadn’t been attacked, Jada would be alive with us today.”
West fought with another student shortly after 5:20 p.m. on March 5 on Reflective Waters Drive in the Ashley Place subdivision. She later died at a hospital three days after the incident.
Racine said the confrontation began on the school bus when the driver stopped before crossing railroad tracks. Drivers must listen for approaching trains before proceeding, but 11 Alive reports that “substantial noise” from students prevented the driver from doing so.
The other girl, whom Racine identified as “J.S.,” yelled from the back of the bus for students to quiet down. An argument followed, and Racine said other students encouraged the confrontation.
The girls continued exchanging words after leaving the bus. Racine said J.S. initially walked away but returned before the argument became physical.
Cellphone footage showed a 17-second fight. Both girls fell onto the roadway, with J.S. landing on top of West before bystanders separated them.
Witnesses said West stood up and initially appeared to be OK. She then lay down near the curb and became unresponsive, according to Racine.
J.S. returned to help and called her mother, a registered nurse, who provided aid to West. Medical first responders arrived within 10 minutes of West’s collapse, according to the DA’s timeline.
Emergency crews took West to Tanner Medical Center in Villa Rica. Doctors later transferred her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Scottish Rite Hospital, where she died.
Villa Rica police interviewed the other student, her mother, the bus driver, a driver trainee, 12 students and an adult bystander.
Investigators also examined claims that J.S. had bullied West. Racine said they found no evidence of prior conflict between the girls, who shared a bus stop but were not well acquainted.
The DA said social media narratives spread before investigators established key facts. Threats against J.S., her family and adult witnesses eventually prompted the girl’s family to leave Douglas County, Racine said.
She urged the public to seek answers without threatening those connected to the case.
“We recognize that this determination does not ease the pain or the significance of the loss of Jada,” Racine said.
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