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Twin girls from Georgia die after being pulled from vacation home pool
Twin 5-year-old girls from Georgia died Friday after they were found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a vacation rental home in Kissimmee, authorities said.
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - Editor's note: The Osceola County Sheriff's Office initially reported that both children were boys, but later corrected that information. The victims were twin girls.
Twin 5-year-old girls from Georgia died Friday after they were found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a vacation rental home in Kissimmee, authorities said.
The girls were discovered shortly before 11 a.m. at a home where two families were staying while visiting Central Florida, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
The twins were transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, where both were pronounced dead.
What we know:
Investigators said the family had arrived from Georgia early Friday morning after an overnight trip, and after spending time at the pool, family members went to sleep. Authorities believe the girls later returned outside and somehow gained access to the pool area.
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The children were found in the pool by another child staying at the home. Deputies said the girls were unresponsive when emergency crews removed them from the water.
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office said homicide detectives are investigating the drowning, which is standard procedure in child death cases. No charges have been filed.
What they're saying:
Sheriff's officials urged families to prioritize pool safety and maintain constant supervision of children around water, especially during summer travel and vacation stays.
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"Whether you are a resident here, pool safety has to be a top priority and eyes on those kids are the first thing," said Osceola County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kim Montes.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not said how long the girls were in the pool. Investigators are also examining whether a fence surrounding the pool was properly secured at the time of the incident.
What's next:
The Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office will determine the girls' cause and manner of death.
The Source: This story was written with information released by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.