Berea-Midpark High School Student Dies From Flu On New Year's Eve

BEREA, OH — Berea Midpark High School student Kaylee Roberts died on New Year's Eve, the school district announced. Roberts is the first pediatric flu-related death in Ohio during this flu season.

The school district said it would bring in crisis support staff from Western Cuyahoga County to help students and teachers mourning the loss. "Please keep Kaylee's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time," the district said.

More than 380 Ohioans were hospitalized with flu-related sicknesses between Dec. 22 and Dec. 28, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

A GoFundMe has been created to help Kaylee's family pay for funeral costs. As of 8 a.m. Thursday morning, the account had raised more than $6,000 for the funeral.

Here's what the family said about Kaylee on the GoFundMe:

"Kaylee Roberts died unexpectedly after a short illness at the age of 16. She was such a beautiful, caring, hardworking, and intelligent young lady. She had such an amazing kindness about her and cared so much for so many family and friends. Kaylee was an exceptional singer, animal lover, fashion trend setter, and a wonderful person and had a very bright future ahead. She was always concerned about everyone and how she could help, even in little ways because of her enormous heart and genuine personality."