Tragedy struck a Delaware high school when a student was attacked in a bathroom and later died from the injuries. It was later found that Amy Joyner-Francis actually died as a result of a pre-existing heart condition with other contributing factors, according to ABC.

The Delaware Justice Department has now charged three teens that were involved in the incident. They’re all minors, but prosecutors are reportedly requesting that they be tried as adults in state Superior Court for their actions. 

“It’s a tragedy all the way around,”chief state public defender Brendan O’Neill said. “The consequences are going to be life-changing for all the kids involved.”

The girl accused of being the one responsible for striking Joyner-Francis has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, which could have a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. Two other girls could face up to a year in prison on third-degree criminal conspiracy charges. All three are 16 years old.

“The altercation was between two teens who knowingly and willingly entered the bathroom for that purpose,” said John Deckers, attorney of the girl accused with negligent homicide. “The possible consequence – that a consensual fight, involving no blunt force injuries, could ever result in death due to an unknown, pre-existing medical condition – was entirely unapparent to either girl.”

While the medical examiner did find that Joyner-Francis suffered from an unknown heart condition, her death came as a direct result from the altercation she was involved in.

Amy died from a cardiac incident that she was vulnerable to because of a pre-existing heart condition, but the cardiac incident would not have occurred if she had not been assaulted,” the examiner said in the report.

“As this process moves forward, I ask that we keep the family and loved ones of everyone involved in our thoughts and prayers,” said Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams in an issued statement.

Photo Courtesy: Family Photo