Brain dead Oakland girl to receive honorary diploma

KGO logo
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Jahi McMath.
Jahi McMath.
KGO-KGO

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- An Oakland girl declared brain dead following tonsil surgery last Dec. is going to receive an honorary diploma from her middle school.

Omari Sealey, the uncle of 13-year-old Jahi McMath, told ABC7 News reporter Nick Smith on Wednesday that E.C. Reems Academy of Technology and Arts has decided to grant the family's request for the honorary graduation certificate.

"I just wrapped the call with Principal Blair and EC Reems will be honoring Jahi McMath with an honorary diploma," said Sealey in a text message to Smith. "It will be received by a member of the family."

Her uncle tweeted earlier that officials at the charter school were hesitant because they received too many complaints about displaying anything about Jahi.

After a battle with Children's Hospital Oakland, Jahi was moved by the family to an out of state facility where she is being kept on a ventilator and feeding tubes.