'Choking Game' Cost Local Teen Her Life

It's a dangerous game that turns deadly without warning and kids in metro Detroit are playing. It's called the "choking game," and it cost one Ann Arbor teen her life.

In July, a smart and beautiful girl was brought to Saint Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor. She died. That's when her family found out about the "choking game," a game they had no idea she was playing.

"I found her dead in her closet," said mother Monica Bedolla-West.

"I never dreamt that my granddaughter would do something like that. It's a devastating site to see them wheel this young, 15-year-old child out on a gurney and put her in a hearse and take her away," said grandmother Barbara Bedolla.

"I won't see her graduate or have children or get married and that game robbed me of it," Monica Bedolla-West said.

15-year-old Marika Bedolla-West from Ann Arbor played a dangerous game -- the "choking game" and she lost her life.

The goal of this game, which is anything but, is to pass out and experience a form of euphoria, seconds of pleasure which for many families leaves behind so much pain. Oftentimes groups of young people do this together. But for many like Marika, it's done alone.

"Teens and parents, you know, they won't think anything of it until it actually happens to them, and then they'll know what it's like," one girl said.

"It's hard, but if I can bring awareness to one family and save one family from going through what we are, it's worth it," said Monica Bedolla-West.

That's why Marika's mother joined the DB Foundation dedicated to educating parents and their children about dangerous and destructive behavior, the ones that aren't taught in school.

"We have a petition going around the DB Foundation right now. If we can get 10,000 signatures, it will be taught with the D.A.R.E. program as a curriculum in the schools," Monica Bedolla-West said.

A message she wants to share with anyone who will listen and help keep Marika's memory alive.

"Please, please, please, if you're doing anything like this, stop. If you know anybody that's doing anything like this, tell them how dangerous it is," Barbara Bedolla said.

Nearly 500 kids across the country died this year playing the "chocking game." So, many young lives wasted. Click here for more information on how to educate and protect your family.