3-year-old dies after playing at Monkey Joe's

MATTHEWS, N.C. — A 3-year-old girl died Saturday after she was taken to the hospital from a North Carolina children's play center.

The child was at Monkey Joe's in Matthews, North Carolina, around 5 p.m. The child, identified by her aunt as Erin Washington, was taken to the hospital where she died.

Erin was celebrating her fourth birthday, which would have been Tuesday, at the play center. A call to police said the child was in distress at the time of the call.

A GoFundMe account set up to help cover Erin's funeral costs says the 3-year-old was "the most hilarious little girl" who "touched more lives than people who live to be 100."

Monkey Joe's released the following statement:

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of a young child in our facility yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with this child's family and friends during this difficult time."

The Matthews Monkey Joe's was closed Sunday with plans to reopen Monday.

Erin's cause of death was not immediately known.

See WSOC-TV for updates on this story.

Cox Media Group