An 8-year-old girl met a tragic end at a northwest Houston hotel's pool over the weekend, as detailed in a lawsuit filed against DoubleTree by Hilton and its parent company. The family has identified the victim as Aliyah Lynette Jaico, whose body was found "wedged in the pipes of the malfunctioning pool equipment," according to the legal action spearheaded by her mother, as reported by ABC13.
The lawsuit, seeking at least $1 million, names the Hilton corporation and Unique Crowne Hospitality, the local hotel operator. In a statement obtained by ABC13, a Hilton spokesperson expressed condolences and emphasized that the hotel is independently owned and operated. Meanwhile, the hotel's ownership has yet to comment on the lawsuit, and the pool has been shuttered for the time being.
The health department has stepped in following the incident, closing down the pool after identifying several safety issues, including inappropriately opened gates and a fence that failed to meet height requirements. According to the Houston Chronicle, the department also noted the lack of documentation for the pool's 32-inch drains.
Aliyah's mother, who had booked a room at the hotel specifically so her family could use the pool, reported her daughter missing after she disappeared in the lazy river. Aliyah's death has been ruled an accident, the result of drowning and mechanical asphyxia. The young girl's body was eventually located inside one of the underwater pipes, affirming the dire outcomes of gaps in oversight and maintenance, as noted in the lawsuit. The pool's last inspection before the tragic occurrence was in June 2023, when inspectors flagged several violations, including defective self-latching pool doors, non-functional emergency phones, and insufficient safety signage.
Currently, no charges have been filed in relation to Aliyah's death. The business, however, faces potential fines up to $2,000 a day per violation if it fails to rectify the cited issues. The wrongful death lawsuit not only levels claims of negligence at the hotel companies but also brings to light the profound sorrow of a family irrevocably changed by what was meant to be a day of recreation.
