Missouri Eighth-Grader Dies From COVID-19, One Of The Youngest US Deaths

An eighth-grader in Missouri died over the weekend from COVID-19 complications, becoming one of the nation's youngest deaths from the coronavirus.

Peyton Baumgarth, a 13-year-old at Washington Middle School in Franklin County, died less than two weeks after he last attended class, according to Dr. Lori VanLeer, superintendent of the school district.

Peyton's last day of school was Oct. 22. He began a quarantine on Oct. 26.

Within a week, Peyton's symptoms worsened. He was hospitalized and later succumbed to complications of COVID.

"The family also asks that we all remember to wear masks, wash hands frequently and follow guidelines," a statement from the school district said. "COVID-19 is real and they want to remind students and parents to take these precautions in and outside of school."

The school said it would provide counselors for children when they returned to in-person classes Wednesday and asked for the community's "thoughts and prayers."

According to data published by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Peyton is the first death in Missouri of anyone under the age of 18.

Peyton's uncle told KSDK the family never thought anything like this could happen.

"We thought this was a passing, northing worse than the common flu, and obviously that's not the case," said Wayne Franek Jr., Peyton's uncle.

Franek added that Peyton's mom also tested positive for COVID-19. He said the mother and son were very close.

"I can't imagine what she's going through," Franek said. "Nobody should ever have to deal with that."

Missouri has confirmed more than 15,000 positive coronavirus cases in the past seven days, according to a state data dashboard.