Local family grieves death of 9-year-old from coronavirus complications

MELROSE, Fla. — Nine-year-old Kimora Lynum, known as Kimmie to family and friends, was an outgoing and cheerful child with a beautiful heart.

Kimmie passed away July 17 from coronavirus complications. She is the youngest known COVID-19 death in Florida.

Bishop Dejeon Cain, the girl’s cousin, said she was a healthy little girl with no known underlying conditions.

”She was incredible and it’s a tragic loss,” Cain said.

Cain said they don’t want Kimmie to be another statistic. They want to share her story with people and hope their loss will be a lesson.

”Our kids are at risk. Our older people are at risk. I don’t think COVID-19 has an age to it,” Cain said.

The tragic death of Kimmie comes as parents consider sending their children back to school. Cain said he doesn’t believe it’s safe for children.

“This is a lesson to our state and federal officials that we don’t need to be opening the schools,” Cain said. “We need to continue make sure that our kids are safe and make sure they are our first priority.”

The family plans to lay Kimmie to rest next Saturday in Gainesville.

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Cox Media Group