Health Officials: Child in Miamisburg Dies From Flu

MIAMISBURG -- A Miamisburg teenager, who told his mom he wasn't feeling well, ends up dying a week later.  And the Montgomery County Health Dept. says the cause is complications related to the flu.

The eighth grader was just in class at Miamisburg Middle School last week.  Tyler Sensenbrenner, 14, just died at a Cincinnati hospital Thursday afternoon from flu complications.  Friday morning students and teachers observed a moment of silence in his memory before starting class.

Sensenbrenner is the first child to die from flu complications in Montgomery County since 2009, when the health department first started tracking deaths related to the virus.

“It was just sad because his face was a smile and he helped people all the time.  He was so nice to everyone,” said Tyler’s friend, Jake Ross.

His family describes Tyler as a healthy kid.  But he somehow got sick, fell into a coma last week, and eventually suffered from septic shock in the hospital.  According to his family, after spending days on life support, his life slipped away.

“I was pretty upset.  I shed a tear because I was at a friend’s house and we saw it on Facebook that he passed. It was pretty upsetting,” said classmate, Kiara Wood

Friday his classmates signed cards for Tyler's family.  High school students took up a collection to help his family with expenses.

“I can't imagine what his parents are going through.  People get the flu, but you never think it'll get so bad that they'll die,” Jenny Ketring of Miamisburg said.

Tyler's death was a solemn reminder to many parents of how quickly a common illness can take a turn for the worse.

“I’m not as vigilant as I should be with the girls about the flu shot.  That popped in my mind.  I’m going to make sure to do that every year so it doesn't get to this point,” Ketring said.

The Miamisburg Schools Superintendent said there hasn't been a widespread flu outbreak, or an unusual number of absences in the district.

EARLIER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMISBURG -- Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County has reported that a child in the Miamisburg area has died from the flu.

This is the first reported death associated with the flu since the state has required hospitals to report flu-related deaths.

We are talking to area health officials and will bring you the latest as this story develops.