Newly publicized surveillance footage has renewed questions about the response to the April emergency at a Lindale elementary school.
LINDALE, Texas — The parents of an 8-year-old East Texas girl who died after choking during lunch at her elementary school are seeking answers about the response to the emergency after surveillance footage from the campus became public more than six months later.
Adrian Sue Thompson, a second grader at Velma Penny Elementary School in Lindale, began choking while eating lunch on April 15. School employees and emergency responders attempted to save her before she was taken to a hospital and later transferred to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Adrian died early April 16. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that choking caused her death and ruled it an accident.
The Texas Rangers investigated the death and found no criminal offense connected to the incident, according to reports based on investigative documents. That conclusion did not end questions from Adrian’s parents, Anna Thompson and Greg Sher, who have continued pressing for a fuller explanation of how school employees responded during the first minutes of the emergency.
Surveillance video released by the family shows Adrian appearing to struggle while in the school cafeteria and approaching an employee for help. Reports describing the footage say the employee initially appears to have believed the girl was feeling sick rather than choking. Adrian then moved through the school and reached the nurse’s office, where emergency treatment began. The video does not show what happened inside the nurse’s office.
Lindale Independent School District Superintendent Stan Surratt said after Adrian’s death that the school nurse performed the Heimlich maneuver, used a LifeVac airway-clearance device and administered CPR. Emergency medical personnel continued lifesaving efforts when they arrived and transported Adrian for treatment. She was later transferred to the Fort Worth children’s hospital, where she died.
Investigative records reported by local media later showed that an adult-sized airway-clearance device was used instead of a child-sized device during the response. The Texas Rangers nevertheless concluded that no criminal offense occurred. The medical examiner also classified Adrian’s death as accidental. Those findings address potential criminal responsibility and cause of death but have not resolved all of the family’s concerns about the school’s emergency response.
Thompson has questioned the scope of the investigation, including what she described as a lack of witness interviews. In an October interview with KETK, she said that issue left the family with unanswered questions. She has also advocated for changes involving legal protections for Texas public school districts, saying she wants families to have more options when seeking accountability after serious incidents on school property.
The family’s release of the surveillance footage brought renewed national attention to the case in late October. Adrian’s parents have said they want the public to understand what happened during the emergency and believe the footage raises questions about whether her condition was recognized quickly enough. Their concerns have not resulted in criminal charges, and authorities have not accused a school employee of intentionally harming Adrian.
Surratt said shortly after the death that the district would seek an independent outside review of its emergency equipment, response procedures and safety practices. He also said the district planned to strengthen emergency-response training for employees. The superintendent urged the community at the time to avoid speculation while investigators examined the circumstances surrounding Adrian’s death.
The case drew a strong response in Lindale. Days after Adrian died, community members gathered at a candlelight vigil at Darden Harvest Park. Her parents thanked residents for supporting their family. Adrian was remembered by relatives and community members as a student who enjoyed school and spending time with her friends.
The Texas Rangers’ investigation has concluded with a finding that no criminal offense occurred, but Adrian’s family continues seeking changes in school emergency practices and state law. The renewed attention surrounding the surveillance footage has kept the focus on how the emergency unfolded and what, if anything, schools can change in response to the tragedy.
Author note: Last updated October 31, 2026.