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The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled Lawson’s death was caused by a genetic heart condition.
Student-athlete safety concerns
The tragic death of a young athlete has reignited discussions surrounding the safety of student-athletes in schools. This incident particularly resonated with Stephanie Jaramillo, whose son, Maximo Saenz, experienced a medical emergency during a football game at Stevens High School in 2022.
“I could see him, you know, like slowing down,” Jaramillo recalled. “And that wasn’t like my son. He collapsed.” After his collapse, another parent rushed Saenz to an urgent care facility, where he was diagnosed with heat exhaustion.
Feeling that the coaching staff failed to recognize her son’s deteriorating condition, Jaramillo took the initiative to email Northside Independent School District (ISD) leaders. “I think it should have taken a lot more seriously back then,” she expressed, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
“You’re talking about a life, you know, and it was that grave then, and it should have been taken more seriously,” Jaramillo stressed. Trusting schools to adequately respond to emergencies is crucial for parents.
Landon Payton Act
The recent death of a student-athlete has also prompted legislative action. State Senator Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), the author of Senate Bill 1177, highlighted that “a functioning AED machine was not available until first responders arrived, which unfortunately was too late.” This tragic event has underscored critical gaps in safety measures across Texas schools.
The Landon Payton Act mandates that schools implement a cardiac emergency response plan by the start of the 2027-28 school year. Key requirements include ensuring that nurses, athletic coaches, and student athletic trainers are trained in CPR and AED usage.
While cardiac emergencies among children during sports are rare, the response time is critical. As Dr. Bush noted, “The coaches are going to be the first ones to see a child go down.” Quick recognition and response are vital, as children suffering cardiac arrest outside of a hospital have less than a 30% chance of survival.
Who has a plan in place?
Currently, some school districts already have a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) in place, while others do not. Jaramillo expressed her concern: “That is scary. And to be honest with you, I feel like the school districts should take action some way now.”
Though districts have time to comply with the new requirement before the 2027-28 school year begins, Jaramillo questions the need to wait for a deadline when emergencies can happen at any moment. “What do you say to the districts that don’t yet have that plan in place?”
“It’s disappointing, and it’s disheartening,” she replied. “So what is gonna happen when another child loses their life again? Period.”
In response to these concerns, Northside ISD has stated, “Northside ISD is fully prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies across all campuses through comprehensive training, strategic AED placement, and dedicated response teams.”
The district emphasized that the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes are of utmost importance, with protocols in place to monitor students during practices and competitions. “We remain committed to continually reviewing and strengthening our practices to ensure our students can participate in athletics in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment.”
Have a tip to investigate? You can email Daniela at dibarra@ksat.com
