Tragic Legal Battle Over Nebraska Cheerleader's Death Sparks Negligence Claims

An eight-year-old cheerleader from Nebraska has become the center of a tragic and contentious legal battle after her untimely death from a massive brain bleed. Reese Bryan, a member of the Omaha Elite Cheer team, succumbed to complications stemming from an undiagnosed brain tumor and a series of neurological symptoms that were allegedly ignored by her coaches and a doctor. Her parents have since filed a lawsuit, accusing Elite Cheer and her pediatrician of negligence and medical malpractice.

Reese's family alleges that she was forced to perform high-risk cheerleading maneuvers, including flips and tumbling, despite suffering from a known neurological condition. Her parents claim that her coaches pressured her to compete at a Kansas City event weeks before her death, even as she exhibited alarming symptoms such as vomiting, facial drooping, and dizziness. These symptoms, they argue, should have been red flags for immediate medical attention.

The family's complaint, obtained by the Daily Mail, states that Elite Cheer's coaches failed to provide adequate care after Reese collapsed at their facility on January 29, 2024. Instead of summoning emergency services, they allegedly left her alone and concealed her behind mats, while instructing other team members not to approach her. Her mother, Amanda Bryan, described the scene as harrowing, saying that Reese was shaking uncontrollably, slurring her words, and unable to stand or walk.

Reese's medical history adds another layer of tragedy to the case. According to her parents, she had been experiencing symptoms of a brain tumor for some time, but her pediatrician, Dr. Lars Vanderbur, refused to order an MRI or CT scan despite her persistent neurological issues. The family claims that Vanderbur diagnosed her with 'post-infection fatigue' after she tested positive for strep throat, even though her symptoms did not improve with antibiotics. Amanda Bryan told KETV, 'She was never ordered an MRI, CAT scan, nothing.'

The situation escalated dramatically on January 29, 2024, when Reese collapsed and vomited during practice. Her parents rushed her to Vanderbur's office, where she was examined again and told to return home. Nine days later, she was found unable to stand, with facial asymmetry resembling a stroke, and her parents took her to the hospital, where she remained until her death on February 23, 2024. Her mother described the delay in care as catastrophic, saying, 'Had you seen what I walked into, anyone in their right mind would have looked at our child and knew she needed help, and she needed it now.'

The family's lawsuit alleges that Elite Cheer's coaches and owners knowingly put Reese at risk by allowing her to participate in tumbling and other high-impact activities, despite her neurological condition. They also claim that the company threatened to remove her from star flyer positions if she failed to perform. The complaint further accuses Elite Cheer of failing to call 911 after she collapsed, despite knowing that vomiting during cheer or tumbling was a sign of an emergency.

Reese's parents have described her as a 'vibrant, loving, beautiful, caring, generous, beat of an athlete, smart, AMAZING little girl,' whose life was cut short by a preventable tragedy. Her obituary highlighted her impact on those who knew her, noting that she 'lived a short life but her impact was HUGE.' The family has requested a jury trial and is seeking justice for the physical, mental, and neurological damage caused by the delayed emergency care.

Elite Cheer's attorneys have expressed condolences to the Bryan family but have not commented further due to ongoing legal proceedings. Children's Physicians, representing Dr. Vanderbur, stated that they do not comment on pending litigation and reaffirmed their commitment to providing high-quality care. The case continues to unfold, with the family determined to hold those they believe are responsible accountable for Reese's death.