On Wednesday, 26-year-old North Carolina Deputy LaKiya Rouse was pronounced dead after testing positive for COVID-19.
“One day my baby was here, the next day my baby was gone,” Rouse’s grieving mother said. “LaKiya loved her job. She was just a loving spirit. My daughter was a smart young lady. LaKiya had the beauty and the brains behind it,” she added.
After her Monday shift as a bailiff in Greensboro, Deputy LaKiya Rouse was hospitalized and given a COVID-19 test as a part of the facility’s protocol.
According to the sheriff’s office Rouse cause of death was due to medical issues. “No medical official has linked the positive COVID test result in her death. Our team suffered a terrible loss. No words can adequately express our sadness.” Sheriff D.H. Rogers said.
“She protected me and made sure all things went the way they should. She was full of life and loved to laugh with me. We talked about other goals she wanted to accomplish in life and she made sure I had my candy on the bench. Lakiya Rouse thank you for opening and closing my courts. Thank you for the laughter and the words ‘you just a real judge and I like that.’ To her family, her work family is mourning and praying with you. Heaven’s gain is truly our loss,” Judge Lora Cubbage said.
The Guilford County Courthouse has been closed since the announcement was made and will reopen to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
