'Toddlers And Tiaras' Star Kailia Posey Dead At 16

LYNDEN, WA — Kailia Posey, a Lynden High School student and former star of the reality show "Toddlers and Tiaras," has died at the age of 16, according to Posey's family.

Posey's mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, revealed news of her daughter's death Monday on Facebook. On Tuesday, Gatterman told the celebrity website TMZ that Posey had taken her own life.

"Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life," Gatterman told TMZ.

Gatterman continued: "(Kailia) won countless crowns and trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life. ... Her highly acclaimed talent as a contortionist had already led to professional touring job offers, and she had recently been selected to be a cheerleader at her high school next fall."

The Daily Beast reported that Posey's body was found in a car at a Washington state park.

A foundation has already been established in Posey's name through the Whatcom Community Foundation.

A paragraph on the donation page reads: "Your gift to the Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund will help get much needed resources to students in crisis. Thank you for honoring Kailia's short, beautiful life by helping other young people."

Posey was 5 years old in 2012 when she appeared on one episode of TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras," a show about the world of child beauty pageants, Insider.com reported.

According to Insider.com, a clip of a grinning Posey from that episode eventually became a popular GIF on the internet.

People magazine reported that Posey continued to compete in pageants after appearing on the reality show. In January, Posey announced on Instagram that she would be competing in the following month's Miss Washington Teen USA Pageant.

Posey's bio on the Miss Washington Teen USA Pageant website said Posey had performed contortion with Cirque du Soleil and played Agnes in the Netflix movie "Eli."

The bio also said she had been on the dean's list at Lynden High School during the 2020-21 school year, and that she planned to study aviation in college and become a commercial pilot.

In the Facebook post announcing her daughter's death, Gatterman posted a photo of Posey in what had been identified as her prom dress in a previous post.

"I don't have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever," Gatterman wrote.

If you or someone you know is considering harming themselves, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255. Immediate help is also available in an emergency by dialing 911.