As detectives continue investigating the July 2 death of a 14-year-old Bloomington girl who was found unresponsive at home and died, her family is raising money for a funeral.
Jamiyah Mayfield lived in an apartment in the 500 block of West Hays Court with her father, stepmother and two other children. Her biological mother, Vona Starks, lives in Indianapolis.
A 911 call from the Hays Court residence at 7:15 a.m. that day reported the teen had been found on the floor unconscious.
The girl was pronounced dead at IU Health Bloomington Hospital at 8:55 that morning. An autopsy was done July 8. Monroe County Coroner Jeff Hall said the cause and manner of Jamiyah’s death won’t be determined until toxicology test results are done in about two months.
In the meantime, the girl’s biological mother is trying to raise $12,000 for a funeral at the same time the child’s father and others may be planning a private service she fears will be held without her.
Michelle Mitchell, a family member who lives in Georgia, is helping Starks, her cousin, navigate the difficult situation. She said Starks got word that Jamiyah had died when someone sent her a condolence message a few days later. “She didn’t know,” Mitchell said. “No one had contacted her.”
Mitchell helped Starks establish a GoFundMe page where people can donate money to help with funeral expenses. They took down an initial GoFundMe account someone else set up on Starks’ behalf that alleged Jamiyah’s death was not an accident.
“Tragically, Jamiyah’s life was cut short due to unimaginable abuse and neglect. She suffered in silence, locked away and mistreated by those who should have protected her,” the fundraising site said. “The circumstances of her passing have shaken our family and community to the core.”
The new account omits references to suspected abuse.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of my beloved daughter. She touched the lives of many with her kindness and love. As we come together to celebrate Jamiyah’s life and lay her to rest, we are faced with the unexpected financial burden of funeral and burial expenses. In this difficult time, we humbly ask for your support to help cover these costs and give Jamiyah the dignified farewell she deserves.”
Bloomington Police Department detectives continue their investigation but had nothing to report July 11, more than a week after the teen’s death. They wouldn’t comment on social media posts suggesting the child may have been abused.
Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Girl, 14, will be laid to rest as death investigation continues
Reporting by Laura Lane, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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