“SHE WAS TRYING TO GET HELP” — PARENTS RELEASE SCHOOL VIDEO AFTER 8-YEAR-OLD GIRL diᩚєs FOLLOWING CHOKING EMERGENCY

Newly released surveillance footage has raised troubling questions about the response to an eight-year-old student’s medical emergency at a Texas elementary school. Her parents say they want answers — and changes that could help protect other children.

An eight-year-old Texas girl died after choking during lunchtime at her elementary school, and newly released surveillance footage is prompting renewed questions about how quickly staff recognized the emergency and responded.

Adrian Sue Thompson, a second-grade student at Velma Penny Elementary School in Lindale, Texas, began choking on April 15, 2026. She was rushed for emergency medical treatment but died in the early hours of April 16.

Months later, her parents, Anna Thompson and Greg Sher, have released school surveillance footage showing parts of the incident. They say the footage raises serious concerns about the help their daughter received.

FOOTAGE SHOWS ADRIAN SEEKING HELP

The footage reportedly shows Adrian leaving her lunch table at approximately 11:40 a.m., coughing into a napkin and moving her hands toward her throat.

According to the Texas Rangers’ investigative report, a school employee initially believed the child was feeling sick and might vomit. Adrian was directed toward a trash can and asked whether she needed to use the restroom.

She reportedly returned to the cafeteria shortly afterward, appearing distressed, before heading toward the nurse’s office.

Witness accounts and the investigative timeline indicate that Adrian was not accompanied by an adult for at least part of that journey. Nearly two minutes reportedly passed between the first visible signs of distress and her arrival at the nurse’s office.

Her parents believe those moments deserve closer examination.

EMERGENCY EFFORTS AT THE NURSE’S OFFICE

When Adrian reached the nurse, she reportedly pointed toward her mouth and tried to communicate that something was wrong.

The nurse attempted the Heimlich maneuver. A LifeVac airway-clearing device was also used, followed by CPR after Adrian collapsed.

Emergency responders continued lifesaving efforts before transporting her for further treatment. Adrian later died at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.

According to reporting based on the investigation, the school principal called 911 at approximately 11:45 a.m. — around five minutes after Adrian first showed visible signs of distress.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT

Another concern raised by the investigation involves the LifeVac devices examined by investigators.

Reports indicate that the devices had adult-sized masks rather than child-sized masks. Adrian was only eight years old.

Her parents have questioned whether the equipment available at the school was appropriate for younger students and whether the emergency response could have been handled differently.

The available findings do not establish that the equipment or the timing of the response caused Adrian’s dєatᩚh.

INVESTIGATION CLOSED, BUT FAMILY STILL WANTS ANSWERS

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Adrian died accidentally from choking.

The Texas Rangers investigated the incident and found no criminal offense in connection with her dєatᩚh. No criminal charges were filed.

However, Adrian’s mother has continued to question the investigation. In an October interview, she said she was troubled by what she described as a lack of witness interviews and is seeking further answers.

She is also advocating for changes to Texas law concerning the legal protections afforded to public school districts.

Lindale Independent School District has said it updated safety procedures, provided additional staff training and introduced new policies intended to improve emergency responses. The district has also expressed its commitment to reviewing its practices and making improvements.

“WE WANT THE TRUTH”

For Adrian’s parents, the release of the footage is about more than revisiting the most painful day of their lives.

They say they want the circumstances surrounding their daughter’s final hours to be understood and hope the questions raised will lead to stronger protections for children at school.

Adrian was eight years old. She should have been able to count on the adults around her when she needed help.

Her family is now asking that the questions surrounding her dєatᩚh not be forgotten.