MONROE, Michigan — The family of 14-year-old Angelina Jones is looking for answers, after the Monroe Middle School student died last week.
Her father and stepmother, Mack and Jayna Jones, received a call on Easter Sunday that Angelina had been in an accident and rushed to the hospital for treatment. Just days later, on Wednesday, April 20, Angelina was pronounced dead.
But, the Jones family is skeptical about exactly what happened that day.
"Our family does not believe the speculations that Angelina jumped from the vehicle. We do however know that her mother was arrested for the suspicion of operating under the influence," Mack and Jayna Jones said in a prepared statement. "We are looking for answers and asking that if anyone knows something or saw something to please reach out to the Southgate Police Department."
Southgate police confirmed Monday Angelina's mother had been arrested for suspicion of Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol during the incident. However, she has not yet been charged by Wayne County Prosecutors Office as officials await toxicology results. No other details were immediately released.
Mack and Jayna Jones call Angelina a bright girl, who liked school and enjoyed spending her time with loved ones.
"Angelina loved listening and dancing to music. She often made TikToks with her siblings, little cousins and friends," her family said. "She had the most beautiful smile and brought tremendous joy to everyone around her."
Angelina was an eighth grade student at Monroe Middle School. Superintendent Julie Everly said she had just returned to the district after spending several years in Wayne County.
But, in the short time she spent within the district, Everly said Angelina "touched students and staff with her gentle spirit, kind heart and bright smile."
The district will be providing support for students and staff as they grieve. Extra members of its social-emotional team will be at Monroe Middle School to address any questions presented by students and their needs for support.
Counselors and social workers will also be available, Everly said, to any students or staff members who wish to speak to someone at school.
Everly encouraged parents to talk with their children directly, and allow them to discuss the feelings they have. She said school counselors are available to help parents navigate these tough conversations and can recommend additional resources if needed.
"There are no words to express the loss of this sweet girl who had her whole life ahead of her," Everly said.
Loved ones have set up a GoFundMe page to help relieve the family of any financial burdens while laying their daughter to rest. You can find Angelina's GoFundMe here. As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser was more than halfway to its goal of $20,000.