6-year-old found dead was 'sweet girl'

MARNE, Mich. (WOOD) - Cheyenne Hendershot was a happy young girl -- full of life and energy.

On Sunday morning, a family member said, she was found dead.

There was no trauma nor foul play in her death, investigators said Monday. Initial indications are that Cheyenne died from an infection, but one that is not a public health concern.

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Ottawa County investigators were on the scene in the 16000 block of 24th Avenue until Sunday afternoon.

Cheyenne's sister, Raven, said the little girl was treated at a local medical center the night before, after she had shoulder pain and a fever. Staff at the center told the family Cheyenne had a sprained shoulder and she was released with medicine to help with the pain.

Hours later, investigators and paramedics responded and pronounced the girl dead at her home.

"Cheyenne was a sweet girl. She loved to come over and play with my daughter," said Melany Cochran, who lives next door to the Hendershots. "I can't believe I'm not gonna hear her yell for my daughter to come over and play with her."

Although family members have no indication of how Cheyenne died, they said she had asthma and recently underwent a surgical procedure to remove her tonsils.

"She just took medicine and just didn't wake up," Cochran said.

Family members said Cheyenne's mother was on her way into town when the incident happened.

"(Cheyenne's) favorite thing was to play with her best friend Leah and ride her bike and eat ice cream and cake," Cochran said.

Hendershot was a student at Coopersville Elementary School.

The medical examiner was being called to the scene, Ottawa County investigators said.

An autopsy will likely be performed on Cheyenne's body to determine an exact cause of death.

Her funeral is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Throop Funeral Home, in Coopersville.

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The facility is accepting donations to help cover Cheyenne's funeral costs.