Gym temporarily closes after boy dies in accident
A children's gym in Wheaton has closed temporarily in the wake of an accident involving a 7-year-old Glen Ellyn boy who died Tuesday.
Brady Daniel Doherty, a second-grader at St. Petronille Catholic School in Glen Ellyn, died two days after the accident at the My Gym play center in the Danada Square East shopping center at the northeast corner of Butterfield and Naperville roads.
Owner Lisa Miroballi announced the closing Friday in a message to gym members.
"As you may know, there was a tragic accident last Sunday at the gym involving a seven-year-old boy," Miroballi said in the message provided by a communications firm. "We have expressed our deepest condolences to the family and our hearts go out to everyone touched by this tragedy.
"We have closed the gym for the rest of the week out of respect for the family. The accident occurred on the space flight, an activity that has been enjoyed by millions of children around the world over the past 35 years."
Miroballi said the gym will reopen Monday but will not include the space flight ride.
When asked if the ride will be discontinued at other locations, a franchiser spokesperson said in an email that "the franchisor has decided not to include the space flight, which is a small part of the My Gym experience, for now."
"Please know that we are taking this very seriously because no parent should ever have any doubts about the well-being of their child while they are enjoying My Gym," Miroballi said.
When reached Friday morning, DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said any information about the investigation into the boy's death would be addressed in a news release. The coroner's office also refused to answer questions and referred inquiries to Wheaton police.
Wheaton Police Chief Bill Murphy did not immediately respond to a phone message Friday.
Visitation for Brady was scheduled for Friday evening in the Parish Life Center at St. Petronille in Glen Ellyn. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Petronille Church, 420 Glenwood Ave.
A voicemail left with St. Petronille Catholic School Principal Maureen Aspell was not immediately returned.