Houston police are investigating a tragic incident in which an 8-year-old girl drowned in a retention pond on the southeast side of the city Monday evening. The girl, who had autism, was under the care of her aunt at the time of the incident.
Authorities reported that the drowning occurred at 13511 Hycohen Road, near Almeda Genoa Road. Houston Police Department Lt. Larry Crowson stated that the child was inside an apartment with her aunt and possibly another child when she managed to slip out unnoticed.
“At some point, the aunt was distracted, and the 8-year-old was able to get out of the apartment. The aunt discovered that and started searching the apartment complex,” Crowson said.
Residents of the apartment complex quickly joined in the search, and within five minutes, they found the girl in a nearby retention pond. Bystanders attempted CPR before emergency responders transported her to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Authorities are currently speaking with the aunt and other witnesses as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
“This appears to be a very tragic accident. We just want to remind people to do everything they can to keep an eye on children in their care,” Crowson said.
