Finding Solutions: Remembering 13-year-old who died after suffering cardiac arrest

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - One local mom is serving as an advocate for cardiac arrest awareness after her son died in 2023.

13-year-old Montrile “Monty” Rouse went into cardiac arrest during a basketball game in November of 2023, and later died at the hospital.

Since then, his story has caught the attention of both state and local leaders as she has fought for legislation surrounding CPR and AED education in schools, and with his birthday coming up on September 7, leaders are still working to make a difference.

On Montrile’s birthday, his mother, Stephanie Rouse, will be standing alongside Columbia County leaders who will read a proclamation recognizing his birthday as Childhood Cardiac Arrest Awareness Day. The city of Grovetown has already declared September 7 as Monty Rouse Jr. Day.