The Prince George's County health department is investigating the suspicious death of a middle school student, who attended Walker Mill Middle School in Capitol Heights.

As classes let out at Walker Mill on Friday, parents, faculty and youngsters were already talking about the early morning death of a student. "You have an eighth grade girl who's died and you definitely don't want that," said parent Rashad Young.

"I feel sorry for the family because that's a sad thing. It's really a sad thing and we'll be praying for the family," said substitute teacher Marcia Fonville. Authorities have not released a cause of death of the child.

A number of parents said the girl had been in and out of the hospital several times recently. "I guess once we do know, the parents have a right to know, so they can protect their child. Other than that, we'll have to wait and see," said neighbor Julie Wilkins.

The county health department's epidemiology team, which typically examines disease-related cases, is now investigating. "Our children are concerned because it could be a classmate or anyone that had this happen to," said parent Pebbles Fryar. "We have to check more into it and make sure the children are safe and that the school needs to put out some awareness on this issue."

Most people are thinking of the young girl who lost her life, and of her family. " I think it's terrible, because I have a seven-year-old and an 18-month-old, and I'd hate for anything like that to happen to them. I can imagine how the parents must feel and my heart goes out to them," said neighbor Julie Walters.

County health officials are vowing that this will be a thorough investigation. The district says it will issue a notice to parents once a cause of death is released. The school will have grief counseling for students.