ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996               TAG: 9606260032
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: PULASKI


CHILD TRANSFERRED TO REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

Jason Rooker, the 10-year-old boy who accidentally hanged himself, was moved to a Charlottesville rehabilitation center Monday where the family says he will remain for several months.

Greg Rooker, the boy's father and owner and president of Family Community Newspapers, released a statement about his son Tuesday.

Jason was moved from a Roanoke hospital to the center in a semiconscious state and the "long-term prognosis is that he will be at the center for at least several months," the statement said.

"The best thing anyone can do to help is pray," Rooker said. "Jason's improvement is based in large measure to the outpouring of prayers from so many concerned people."

Rooker and his wife, Fran Rooker, performed CPR on their son when they found him hanging by a rope from a tree in the family's yard June 13. Jason was not breathing and had no pulse when his parents found him. The boy was playing when he fell or jumped and got tangled in the rope.

Anyone who wants to send cards to Jason should address them as follows: Jason Rooker - inpatient, Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center, 2270 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Va., 22903.


LENGTH: Short :   31 lines

































by CNB