Alabama Mom Shares Final Moments Before Losing Two Children at Creek

On a summer afternoon, a mother stood at the edge of a creek in Alabama, doing everything she physically could, and it still was not enough to save her children.

Lolisa Hood had taken three of her five kids to Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson, Alabama, on May 30, 2026, for what was supposed to be a simple, fun outing. When parents are not present, and something goes wrong with a child, the tragedy is devastating.

But there is a particular kind of anguish reserved for a parent who is right there, fighting with everything she has, and still cannot pull her children to safety.

What Happened During This Summer Afternoon?

That Saturday started as a small act of love. Lolisa had originally planned a trip to Point Mallard water park in Decatur for Sunday, but unfortunately, that plan got canceled for some reason.

Still, her kids, brimming with energy, were determined to go swimming that weekend. Their mother had tried her best to find a family-friendly space that day, including taking them to two splash pads. Both were closed.

That is when her children remembered something she had once mentioned. "They said, 'Mama, what about that creek you said you always wanted to take us to,'" Lolisa recalled. "I was like, Ok."

She drove her children to Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, a popular outdoor spot roughly 20 miles northeast of Birmingham. When they arrived at the creek's pool area, she did not let them jump straight in.

She made them stop and read every rule posted on the sign. The children, including 14-year-old Bryan Scott and siblings King Scott, 12, and Lola Scott, 10, settled into a shallow spot that only came up to their knees.

"They were right there playing," Lolisa said. And for almost the entire outing, everything was fine.

When Did the Situation Turn Dangerous?

When Lolisa decided it was time to leave, Bryan, Lola, and King were still in the water. Instead of exiting the way they had entered, the three turned left.

That single wrong turn led them directly into a section of the creek that drops to around eight or nine feet deep. Her eldest was the first to call out. "Bryan started asking for help, and I thought he was playing," Lolisa said. "Then I saw he wasn't."

The last thing the mother saw was the three siblings lined up in the water. Bryan was nearest to the bank, Lola was in the middle, and King was farthest out.

What Did the Mother Do to Try to Save Them?

Unfortunately, Lolisa does not know how to swim, but she acted quickly as every parent would. She managed to pull Bryan to safety first. Still, Lola and King were already going under.

"I was trying to get to Lola next," she said. "King tried to push her toward the bank, and that's when he went under, and then Lola went under."

With no other options, the desperate mother called 911. She also flagged down two women walking nearby and asked for help. One jumped into the water, but Bryan jumped back in as well, and Lolisa watched as that same woman had to pull him to safety a second time.

"He went straight down, and then she had to help get him out again," Lolisa said. Even more distraught now, the mother then stopped a passing truck carrying four men. All four got in the water to search for King and Lola.

Who Responded to the Emergency?

At approximately 4:02 p.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received the urgent call. Deputies arrived alongside Palmerdale Fire and Rescue, Center Point Fire and Rescue, and Glenwood Fire and Rescue.

First responders and bystanders searched the creek together until both children were located and pulled from the water. CPR was initiated on the scene. "When they left, they did have heartbeats," Lolisa said. "They were fighting."

Both children were transported to Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham. Lolisa stayed by their sides the entire time, hoping that they would get through this.

Sadly, at 5:15 p.m., according to Jefferson County Coroner Bill Yates, who confirmed the details to People, King was pronounced dead. His sister, Lola, followed two minutes later.

"Lola came back twice," Lolisa said, referring to moments when medical staff regained a response. After both children were officially declared gone, the grieving mother asked the hospital staff to move them into the same room.

She stayed with them for three or four more hours. "I couldn't leave them," she said. "I've never left my children before, so it's just hard because I've never been without my kids."

Who Were King and Lola Scott?

Both King and Lola were students at Tarrant Intermediate School. Lola was a straight-A student who dreamed of becoming a teacher.

She was active in her school community and participated in Girls on the Run, a program built around helping girls build confidence and physical strength.

King loved Roblox, neighborhood football, and looking out for his siblings. According to Lolisa, he was funny, smart, and by nature, a protector. "They were the kindest, sweetest kids," Lolisa said. "Helpful and respectful. My kids had plans." So naturally, this situation has destroyed her.

How Has the Mother Spoken About the Loss Since?

On May 31, one day after the drownings, Lolisa posted on Facebook about her desperate attempt to save her children. She wrote that those 15 minutes felt like an eternity and that she tried her absolute best to save them, but simply could not rescue all three.

The mother added that her children fought bravely and that she felt truly grateful to God for the privilege of being their mother.

Finally, she offered her heartfelt thanks to the bystanders who immediately jumped in to help and stayed by her side, as well as the first responders who rushed to the scene.

A few days later, on June 2, she wrote a public letter to her children:

"King and Lola, You will be truly missed, and you are so deeply loved not just by me, but by an entire community. I think you knew I'd need an army for the battle I'm facing. I was ready to do this alone, but you made sure I didn't have to. You sent help. The calls, the texts, the pictures… the love has been overwhelming in the best way. I can't even keep up. Thank you for choosing me to be your mother. It's the greatest gift of my life. Forever loving you, Mom."

How Can Others Help Lolisa Now?

The grieving mother has also launched a GoFundMe to help cover counseling, support for Bryan, household expenses, and time away from work. As of this writing, the campaign has raised over $6,900 toward an $11,000 goal across 122 donations.

"They were precious children," Lolisa said. "I truly love my children, and I was there. I was there trying to save my children. I saved one of them. I just couldn't save the other two."

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the children's deaths remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the office at 205-325-1450.

At this time, we offer our condolences to the family for their terrible loss.