The Houston hotel pool where an 8-year-old girl was found dead after allegedly being sucked into a pipe has been found with multiple violations after being remodeled — and did not comply with federal laws meant to prevent drownings, according to reports.
The body of Aliyah Lynette Jaico was found in the “lazy river-style” pool at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel about 13 hours after she was reported missing Saturday, officials said — with the girl’s family since filing a $1 million lawful death suit over the “avoidable” tragedy.
Aliyah drowned and suffered from “mechanical asphyxiation,” KPRC 2 reported, citing the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.
7
On Monday, inspectors ordered the pool closed after finding multiple violations, according to the news outlet.
“Operator failed to obtain a pre-opening inspection prior to placing the pool into operation after a remodel,” an investigator wrote in a three-page inspection report, according to the outlet.
It was unclear when the pool was remodeled.
A Houston Health Department spokesperson told the outlet in an email that “a pool operator is required to submit plans to the Houston Planning Center for major structure and plumbing changes.
“The Health Department is then notified to review plans for compliance to the pool codes adopted by the city. The pool operator also needs a pre-opening inspection before getting the pool in operation after a remodel,” the rep added.
The report said the pool did not comply with federal laws meant to prevent drain entrapment and drownings, according to KPRC 2.
7
7
The pool operator reportedly failed to provide documentation to inspectors who requested proof of Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act compliance.
Meanwhile, additional violations were discovered on Tuesday.
Approved plans didn’t match construction, including lazy river flow suction and return piping, according to the report.
River flow return piping didn’t have a return cover over the opening and a suction outlet cover was partially missing from the pipe where search and recovery occurred, per the outlet.
7
Aliyah’sbody was found after the pool was drained and a camera was sent into a pipe.
“We put them poles in there almost 20 feet, and we saw her little hand and part of her body, so we got the fire department back out there,” said Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch, which was called in to help try to find the child.
“[It] appears right now the pump was put in there, and it was probably malfunctioning because of the open pipe that she ended up in was supposed to be pushing water out,” he said.
“And right beside that pipe, there was another pipe that actually had a big plastic filter-like screen on the front that’s supposed to be sucking water in,” Miller continued.
“So I know there was one speculation last night from somebody that knows quite a bit and everything that that the pump was wired wrong. So it was sucking instead of pushing,” he said.
7
“She was wedged in there so very, very tight/ I don’t think she decided, ‘I am going to swim in here and see what’s here,’” Miller added.
Aliyah’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hotel and its parent companies, accusing them of gross negligence and seeking more than $1 million in damages.
“We are seeking justice for Aliyah because this could have been avoidable,” the family’s attorney Richard Nava told ABC 7. “Everybody knows this could have been avoidable.
“All the evidence is going to point to this hotel (running) an establishment with many violations,” he added. “The pool was not in working order.”
7
The suit is going after Hilton, the parent company of DoubleTree, and Unique Crowne Hospitality, the local operator of the hotel.
A Hilton spokesperson told ABC 7 in a statement: “Hilton offers our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones for the tragic loss of a young girl at the DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow.
“This property is independently owned and operated by a third party. Hilton does not own, manage, or control the day-to-day operations of the property and does not employ any of the property’s staff or its third-party operators,” the rep said.
The Post has reached out to the Trent & Taylor law firm, which represents Unique Crowne Hospitality.
7
Meanwhile, Aliyah’s mom, Daniela, mourned the loss of her child.
“They say we all have our destiny marked… but I can’t understand why yours was like this,” she wrote. “Thank you, my love, for the eight years you gave me by your side. Thank you, my girl, for teaching me what love is and a noble heart.”
