Promising Junior Olympian dies from brain-eating amoeba

A Texas teen who was infected with a brain eating amoeba has died.

Michael John Riley Jr., 14, was diagnosed with a lethal disease caused by a brain-eating amoeba. Doctors say the amoeba entered through the teen's nose and swam into his brain after he jumped into a freshwater lake in Sam Houston State Park on August 13th.

His family says a week later he fell seriously ill and was admitted to a hospital.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amoeba, called Naegleria fowleri amoeba, is found in warm freshwater and soil. It typically enters through the nose and travels to the brain where it causes a condition known by the acronym PAM. The CDC reports that in the last 53 years, the amoeba infected about 130 people — and only three of those cases survived.

Michael's family posted on a supportive Facebook page, "Michael fought a courageous fight over the past week, allowing him to move on to be with the Lord for future heavenly tasks, a beautiful set of wings, and a pair of gold running shoes."

The family says it will continue to raise awareness about Michael's condition.

Check out some photos of dear Michael from his family's facebook page: