8-Year-Old Girl Found Dead after Mom's Frantic Search throughout the Hotel – The Circumstances Are Heartbreaking

Aliyah Lynette Jaico, 8, died after she was “violently sucked” into a Houston hotel’s swimming pool drain pipe last weekend. The girl’s mother had since filed a lawsuit.

Saturday, March 23, was a day like any other as Aliyah enjoyed one of her favorite activities - swimming until a heartbreaking tragedy struck.

Aliyah, who turned 8 on January 13, loved being in the water and was last seen swimming with other family members before she seemingly disappeared.

When her mother, Jose Daniela Jaico Ahumada, noticed Aliyah’s absence, she “frantically” started searching for her young daughter, before asking hotel management around 5:20 p.m. to look at the surveillance footage.

Hotel management reportedly denied the request, stating that “police would have to be present to view the video surveillance.”

However, when the footage was reviewed, a team found that Aliyah had never left the swimming pool. Shockingly, the young girl’s body had been “wedged in the pipes.”

"This is one of the saddest ones we've seen in a good while," said the founder of Texas EquuSearch, Tim Miller.

Miller had no idea what to think when they got the call that Aliyah had disappeared from Houston’s Double Tree by Hilton Hotel.

"Did she wander off? Did somebody take her, or what? So, anyhow, we mobilized a lot of people. We had people actually searching outside and in different rooms and everything," Miller recalled his thoughts at that time.

Once they reviewed the security footage, however, it showed that Aliyah had gone underwater, but never resurfaced. That’s when they knew a tragedy had occurred.

Nava refuted the claim and noted that evidence of wrongdoing squarely points to the hotel.

After being found inside the drain pipe of the Lazy River-style swimming pool, Aliyah was pronounced dead by paramedics. Houston police are now awaiting autopsy results as the investigation continues while they have ordered the pool to be closed.

Documentation has since shown that the pool violated several regulations, including some drains lacking documentation of their function, that the enclosures are not tall enough, that the gates had not been self-latching, and more.

Aliyah’s family now filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Houston hotel, asking for over $1M in damages.

According to the family’s attorney, Richard Nava, they are going through a very difficult time. The family had booked a night at the hotel because Aliyah loved swimming, which cost the young girl her life.

"We’re seeking justice for Aliyah because this could’ve been avoidable. Everybody knows this could’ve been avoidable," Nava told a news outlet. "There was an issue with the flow of the water, the backflow, and we believe Aliyah was violently sucked into the hole that was about 12–16 inches wide."

While Aliyah’s mother had been criticized for allegedly not watching over her daughter while she swam, Nava refuted the claim and noted that evidence of wrongdoing squarely points to the hotel.

"All the evidence is going to point to how this hotel ran an establishment with many violations; the pool was not in working order and we’re going to show that in court," Nava elaborated.

As news of the tragedy spread across the internet, people were shocked and saddened at the turn of events.

“Poor baby. Prayers for the family,” a Facebook user wrote. “Poor beautiful girl 😭😭,” another lamented. “What a tragedy poor wee girl 😭,” noted an emotional netizen, seconded by other comments like, “Heartbreaking for all who love her,” and “Horrible situation!!! Tears🙏”

Aliyah’s funeral service was open to the public and held at Brookside Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, in Houston on March 28.

Sadly, Aliyah's tragic drowning in a pool is not the only instance in Texas' recent history. Although the Burns family faced the loss of their 14-month-old son. Their story had an unexpected and heartwarming twist that touched the lives of many.

As we previously reported, in June 2022, Jenny Burns experienced every parent's worst nightmare when she realized her 14-month-old son, Beau, was missing. The tragic incident unfolded at their Dallas, Texas home, leaving the Burns family grappling with the devastating reality.

Jenny, 37, recounted the harrowing moments of that fateful day, stating that when she couldn't find her son and searched for a good three minutes, she knew he was in the pool. She described how, during such situations, one starts hoping and praying.

Jenny's worst fears were realized as she discovered Beau in the backyard pool. With a frantic scream for her husband, Rob Burns, 39, the couple sprang into action, pulling their unconscious son from the water. In those critical moments, Rob initiated CPR, desperately clinging to the hope of a miracle.

In the midst of their unimaginable loss, Beau's parents found themselves connected to another family's battle for survival.

"I was praying a miracle would happen. God was there with me," reflected Jenny, vividly recalling the intense and emotionally charged experience. "Rob was able to get [Beau's] heartbeat back by the time the ambulance came and they airlifted him to Children’s Medical Center Dallas."

The subsequent seven days proved to be an agonizing ordeal for the Burns family, with their 10-year-old daughter Emma also caught in the emotional whirlwind. "I thought for a good four days that there was hope that he would survive," revealed Jenny. "But on the fourth day, the doctor told us he was not coming back, and we had to decide what we would like to do."

Faced with the most harrowing decision, Jenny and Rob were introduced to the possibility of organ donation, a choice that promised a semblance of purpose amidst their profound sorrow. Reflecting on the difficult choice, Rob expressed, "My mom and my grandmother were both nurse practitioners, so I grew up in a household that was very focused on medical education and understanding the importance of decisions you make."

In an Instagram post from June 25, 2022, the Burns family disclosed their decision to donate their beloved son's organs. "We are so proud of our son! Beau would be providing the gift of life to 2 children and an adult! Our baby is a hero. We love you, bubba," read the post.

Despite the profound grief, Rob saw an opportunity for Beau's legacy to be one of hope and renewal. He conveyed that the day was exceptionally challenging for them, emphasizing his awareness that someone would receive that miraculous phone call, making it an obvious decision for him.

Jenny supplemented her account by explaining that it required a leap of faith. She emphasized the necessity to trust that the decision they were making was for the best and highlighted how challenging it was at that moment. She expressed uncertainty about knowing what it would be like considering they were saving lives.

In an emotional Instagram post, the Burns family was seen saying goodbye, with the Child Life staff at Children’s Dallas assisting them in taking Beau's hand and foot imprints, a memory they would cherish forever.

In the midst of their unimaginable loss, Beau's parents found themselves connected to another family's battle for survival. In a different wing of the same hospital, four-month-old Eli, born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, was in dire need of a heart transplant.

Eli's mother, April Flores, shared her fervent prayers for a heart for her son, fearing that without a transplant, Eli's time was limited. The call that a heart was available came in the early hours, a moment that marked the beginning of a new chapter for Eli. Following the transplant, the transformation was immediate; Eli's health improved significantly, bringing immense joy and relief to his mother.

A year after their tragic loss, Jenny and Rob, Beau's parents, reached out to April, expressing their desire to meet Eli. Their encounter, filled with gratitude and emotional depth, highlighted the profound impact of their decision to donate Beau's organs.

Jenny and Rob witnessed Eli's vitality, attributing it to Beau's legacy—a gift that now empowered Eli to live a full life. The sound of Beau's heart beating strongly in Eli's chest was a poignant reminder of the life that continued beyond loss.

Beau's aunt captured the heartwarming moment the little boy became "a hero to not just one, but three families." She expressed, "The moment we met Eli was absolutely life-changing for us. Beau's heart continues to beat, and we couldn't be prouder of the incredible gift he has given."

April's initial fears about meeting Beau's parents—worries about being a single mother and whether her son would be deemed "worthy" of such a gift—dissolved upon their meeting. The connection between the families was immediate and deep, rooted in a shared understanding of loss, hope, and gratitude.

In their journey to honor Beau's memory, Jenny and Rob also reached out to other recipients of his organs. They connected with a 40-year-old woman who received Beau's kidney but are still waiting to hear from her. Amid this wait, they encountered Leonel, who was given a new lease on life through Beau's liver, and his mother, Ginamarie Rodriguez, at the Southwest Transplant Alliance in November 2023.

Leonel, a vibrant four-year-old boy, was born with Citrullinemia Type 1, a condition with severe consequences. As explained by Ginamarie, 29, he faced the risk of a coma, brain damage, or even death. Regrettably, there was no cure, and a transplant emerged as the sole viable solution.

In reflecting on the emotional experience of meeting the Burns family, especially with her husband Randy, 35, currently deployed, Ginamarie shared that it was challenging to articulate, but the connection felt familial. Navigating the shared experiences and grief, Ginamarie noted that they had formed a bond, and she would remain eternally grateful to Beau and his family.

Jenny echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the newfound bond that transcends the boundaries of tragedy, "Leonel is so beautiful. He's just this rambunctious little 4-year-old, and it was so good seeing him just laugh and live so loud."

Over the past few months, the Burns family has embraced an extended family, seeing everyone involved in their journey as integral parts of their lives. “I don't know what it is with these women, but we have this amazing bond," shared Jenny. "Both Ginamarie and April are going to be in our lives forever, and I get two more sons."

Six months following Beau's tragic accident, Jenny and Rob received unexpected joy–they were expecting another baby. In January 2023, they learned about the pregnancy and, to their delight, discovered they were having a boy, whom they named "Jack." Jenny expressed, "It was the best surprise, and when we found out it was a boy, we knew Beau had a hand in picking him. He knew we needed this. God knew we needed this.”

Jack, born in October 2023, brought immense joy to the Burns family. Jenny emphasized the positive impact on Emma, Beau's sister, who embraced her big sister role once again. Jenny expressed deep gratitude, stating, "We are so grateful."

In addition to their expanded family, Jenny found a renewed purpose in life–advocating for child organ donation alongside her "sisters for life," April and Ginamarie. Despite initial reservations, Jenny credited her husband, Rob, for seeing the bigger picture.

She reflected, “Without my husband, I probably would have said no. [I felt like] they were taking away properly saying goodbye to my son, but Rob saw the bigger picture, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life."

The enduring impact of Beau is evident in the lives of two other young boys who benefited from his organ donation. Jenny derived solace and a sense of healing from observing the recipients flourish.

She expressed that while Beau was no longer present, she found comfort in the ability to contribute to someone else's well-being, assisting another mom with their little boy. Jenny further shared that witnessing the recipients grow up and experiencing their mom's love for them brings healing to her heart.

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