7-year-old girl died from heart disease after summer cheer camp

The results of an autopsy Monday indicated that the 7-year-old girl who died June 27 after attending a cheer camp in north suburban Park Ridge died of Ebstein’s anomaly, a congenital heart disease.

Her death was ruled natural, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Katherine Babich became ill unexpectedly at the Summer Cheer Camp at Maine South High School at 1111 S. Dee Rd., and was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, according to a statement from Maine Township High School District 207.

She died at Lutheran General at 12:59 p.m. June 27, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Katherine, who went by Kate and lived in the 100 block of East Lahon in Park Ridge, was a second-grader at Field Elementary School in Park Ridge-Niles School District 64, according to the school district’s statement.

“Maine South High School and Maine Township High School District 207 extend our deepest sorrow and condolences to the Babich family and friends,” the statement said.

“All of us at District 64 are saddened by the loss of one of our students, and extend our deepest sympathies to her family,” Supt. Laurie Heinz said in a statement posted on the school district’s website.

“Kate is known as an inspired leader, a leader and a good friend to everyone in her class,” Heinz said. “I know her classmates and Field staff will miss her dearly.”