PORTER RANCH, Calif. (KTLA) — A 14-year-old honors student died this week after inhaling computer keyboard cleaner, authorities say.
Aria Doherty at her home died Monday of apparent cardiac arrest. An autopsy is still pending.
Her older sister found her in bed with a can of compressed air still attached to her mouth, her nostrils taped shut.
The Dohertys say they want their daughter’s death to be a message to other parents to be aware of the threat posed by common household items.
“It’s what the students are doing. We didn’t know much about it at all,” said Aria’s father, Richard Doherty.
“Apparently it’s a quick high and it’s fatal in something like 20 percent of the times you use it,” he added.
Aria, a student at Northridge’s Nobel Charter Middle School, loved animals and was active in the school’s drama productions.
Grief counselors from the Los Angeles Unified School District were at the school Wednesday talking to students.
“I’ll miss the incredible warmth,” her mother, Carolyn Doherty, reflected. “Whenever I was with her… There’s nobody that can compare to her.”
Her death comes one week after that of a 12-year-old girl from Victorville.
Kristal Salcido died after inhaling Freon from the air conditioning units her backyard.
Kristal inhaled the chemical, later passing out in her grandma’s bathroom.
She was pronounced brain-dead at a local hospital.
Her family made the difficult choice to take her off life support four days later.
According to inhalants.org — an anti-drug website — one in five students has inhaled a chemical to get high by the eighth grade.
13 Comments to “Honors Student, 14, Dies After Huffing Computer Duster”
March 21, 2013 at 7:23 AM
Truly a sad story and a tragic loss. My sympathies to her loved ones.
March 22, 2013 at 4:29 PM
finaly some one with common sense
March 21, 2013 at 8:00 AM
My prayers and thoughts go out to the family.
March 21, 2013 at 8:46 AM
A great loss. Hopefully others will learn and avoid this type of behavior. Condolences.
March 22, 2013 at 4:28 PM
not a great loss a horrific tragedy more like it. and people will learn from this
respect to Aria
March 21, 2013 at 9:03 AM
WHAT DID IT SAY ON THE LABEL
March 21, 2013 at 11:48 AM
People only learn from their own mistakes. Some get a second chance. Many don't.
March 21, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Actually, some people learn from the mistkes of others, or just use common sense. Others, some with problems we don't know about, do not.
March 22, 2013 at 4:27 PM
she was just an honors student who made a stupid mistake so be a lil more respectful bacause people should respect her and not say that she should use commen sense
commen sense bubba
March 21, 2013 at 4:34 PM
My heart felt sympathies go out to her family. We are all unique in our own ways. Her mom said it best
“Whenever I was with her… There’s nobody that can compare to her.” Rest in Peace Beautiful Girl.
March 21, 2013 at 7:42 PM
Get you head out of your — so you can see the truth.
March 22, 2013 at 9:46 PM
Whatever.
March 22, 2013 at 4:25 PM
I knew Aria personaly from nobel before I changed schools. She was realy nice and its a shame she would die like that…………….r.i.p. a good friend
i told her to never do this other than her parents but i guess she never listened to me