8-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Pulled Into Hotel Swimming Pool Pipe: Family Sues

On March 23, 8-year-old Aliyah Lynette Jaico tragically lost her life when she was sucked into a hole in the swimming pool at the Doubletree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow in Texas. The family had booked a room at the hotel to use its swimming facilities for the day. Aliyah was swimming in the lazy river around 4:50 p.m. when she suddenly disappeared and was pulled into an unsecured open gap in the pool's flow system. Her body was found wedged in the pipes of the malfunctioning pool equipment, leading to a harrowing and devastating incident.

First Responders' Efforts and Cause of Death

It took first responders 12 hours to retrieve Aliyah's body, as they had to drain water and break concrete around the gap. Houston police have not yet made an official announcement regarding the cause of her death. Meanwhile, the family attorney, Richard Nava, has revealed that the family is suing all parties responsible for Aliyah's death, seeking wrongful death damages of $1 million, with the potential for the final damages to exceed this amount.

Grieving Family and Funeral

Aliyah's mother, Daniela Jaico, is struggling to cope with the inconceivable passing of her daughter. The family attorney described Daniela as one of the strongest individuals he has seen, but the true ramifications of the tragedy have yet to fully impact her. Aliyah's funeral took place on Thursday, where Daniela posted a heartfelt message on Facebook inviting mourners to honor her daughter's life and memory.

Lawsuit and Defendants

The lawsuit filed by the family targets Unique Crowne Hospitality LLC, the operator of the hotel, and Hilton Worldwide Holdings INC. as defendants. The family's attorney expressed dissatisfaction with Hilton's response, stating that the hotel's safety standards were questionable and that Hilton's attempt to distance itself from the incident was not acceptable. The family is seeking justice and accountability for the tragic loss of their beloved daughter.

Hotel Safety Concerns

The family attorney, who lives near the hotel and is familiar with its history, plans to file an amended petition with a temporary restraining order to gain access to the pool for further investigation. He emphasized the importance of ensuring proper safety measures in hotel swimming facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future. The lawsuit and legal action aim to shed light on the alleged safety lapses at the hotel and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Efforts to Prevent Similar Incidents

In response to the tragic incident, the family's attorney is determined to advocate for improved safety standards at hotel swimming pools, particularly in relation to the proper maintenance and coverage of pool equipment such as the gap that led to Aliyah's untimely death. The legal proceedings and advocacy efforts are aimed at preventing similar tragedies and protecting the well-being of individuals using hotel swimming facilities.

Official Investigation Pending

As the family continues to seek answers and justice, the official cause of Aliyah's death has yet to be revealed by the Houston Police Department. The lawsuit and legal proceedings will contribute to the ongoing investigation and efforts to address the safety concerns surrounding the swimming pool at the Doubletree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow. The tragic loss of Aliyah has sparked a call for greater accountability and measures to ensure the safety of individuals using hotel amenities, particularly swimming pools and related facilities.