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Church Denies Throwing 'COVID-19 Parties' after Teen Congregant Dies from the Virus

  • Amanda Casanova

    Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and…

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  • Published Jul 09, 2020

A church in Fort Myers, Florida says the church did not host a party where a 17-year-old girl attended and later died of COVID-19.

“Over the past 24 hours, First Assembly of God of Fort Myers has been accused of hosting ‘COVID-19 parties.’ Nothing could be farther from the truth,” the church said in a statement according to the Christian Post. “First Assembly of God of Fort Myers is following all of the health protections and protocols recommended by the state and local government with regard to holding its church services.

“Let us be clear - media reports and postings accusing the church of ignoring protocols or actively engaging in behavior intended to expose our congregation to the virus are absolutely false and defamatory.”

The teenage girl, Carsyn Leigh Davis, died June 23 from COVID-19– about two weeks after she attended a church function.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department said in its report: “On June 10, the decedent attended a church function with 100 other children. She did not wear a mask. Social distancing was not followed.”

The church reportedly hosted a "party" on June 10. The church’s social media page advertised the event as a “release party” with a DJ, karaoke and basketball. The Facebook advertisement has since been deleted from the church’s page.

Davis had previously battled cancer. On June 13, the teen complained of a headache, sinus pressure and a mild cough.

Her mother, who is a nurse, and her stepdad, a physician’s assistant, treated her with azithromycin from June 10 to June 15.

Later, they treated her with hydroxychloroquine.

Both drugs had been originally pitched by President Donald Trump for the treatment of coronavirus.

Davis did not get better and was taken to Gulf Coast Medical Center and then transferred to Golisano Hospital PICU. She tested positive for COVID-19 on June 19 and died four days later.

“It is heartbreaking that a young lady who frequently attended Youth Church over the past few years has recently passed away,” the church said in its statement.

“First Assembly of God of Fort Myers has always tried to be a leader in promoting caring, compassion, reason and the love of Jesus Christ in this community and throughout the world. Despite these false accusations, the church will continue to follow the lead of Jesus and hope that the actions of our love for others, and the history of those efforts, speak for us.”

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Booky Buggy


Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.