A 10-year-girl girl from Bosqueville has died after a family horse kicked her in the head. The McLennan County Sheriff's office said the accident happened on the family's property on Monday night.
The family's pastor at First Methodist Church of Waco Ryan Barnett confirmed to News Channel 25 that the 10-year-old is Emmie Schneider.
The Associated Press said that Schneider, her brother and mother were working with the family's horses when a horse kicked her in the face.
Barnett spent Tuesday afternoon with her family. He said they are all in shock and devastated over the loss of their little girl.
Barnett hasn't been at this church for very long, he started in Aug. but said Emmie stood out to him immediately. He describes her as a loving girl who would light up the church with her smile.
"There's no question that she had the light of Christ living inside of her. I had the opportunity to meet her, to pray with her and get to know her heart. She really made an impression on me. Out of the thousands of people here, she was really special," said Barnett.
Barnett added that funeral services will be held for Emmie in the near future, but there's no date set as of yet.
"There are three things that you can do for the family during this time," said Barnett. "One, grieve. You can grieve with this family. Two, you can pray for them, lift them up. I promise you, they're experiencing your prayers. Number three, hold your families close, make sure that the most important things are communicated to them."
Emmie was in the fifth grade at Bosqueville Elementary. Bosqueville ISD Superintendent James Skeeler said counselors were there to offer emotional support to all those who needed it on Tuesday morning at the school. These services will be available for weeks and months to come as students and staff grieve.
"We're here for the students, obviously that's our number one thing," said Skeeler. "We want to make sure that they're taken care of always, number one, and when anything like this happens it's just heartbreaking for everybody."
He said notes were also given to students to take home to their parents. The notes explain the accident as well as the resources that will be available for Emmie's classmates as they try to cope with this loss.
Visitation with the family will be Friday, Sept. 22 from 5 to 7 at First Methodist located on 4901 Cobbs Drive. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, Sept. 23 at First Methodist Church at 1 p.m.
The family is collecting "crazy socks" to donate to children in need. Donations in memory of Emmie can be made to First Methodist Church of Waco.
The McLennan County Sheriff's office said no autopsy has been ordered.
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