The boy who died after choking at a Collier County School last Thursday has been identified.
11-year-old Benjamin Cronin attended Laurel Oak Elementary School in Collier County. The North Collier Fire Rescue District said they responded to a report of a child choking around 11:53 a.m.
In a release sent by Ave Maria University, it was confirmed Benjamin was the student who died. He passed away in the hospital.
Benjamin was the second child of Dr. Stephen Cronin, an associate professor of biology at the university.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office confirmed a death investigation involving a student at Laurel Oak Elementary School last Thursday, adding that it was not suspicious.
It's currently unclear how or what Benjamin choked on, as that information has not been released.
Due to school privacy laws, the Collier County School District has not released the name of the child or any additional information.
In a statement from CCPS, they said all schools have emergency response teams, with staff who are trained to deal with emergency situations.
The district said all school sites have multiple devices to assist staff, students and visitors in the event of an emergency.
The principal shared the information with students during their morning news segment. The school also held a moment of silence.
Neil Watson, Adjunct Professor of Business at Ave Maria University, said in a statement, “Dr. Cronin is a beloved member of the Ave Maria University community, and we continue to mourn the passing of his son. The Cronin family remains in our prayers – both in public offering of the Rosary and Masses, as well as private devotion – as we offer expressions of our care and support during this sorrowful time.”
Ave Maria is also collecting monetary donations on behalf of the family to help with medical and funeral expenses.