The heartbroken family of an 8-year-old girl who tragically lost her life over the weekend is now taking legal action against the hotel where the incident occurred. Last Saturday, Aliyah Jaico was swimming in the lazy river at the DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow when she went missing. After a frantic search by her family and local authorities, Aliyah was later found lifeless, 20 feet deep inside the swimming pool’s plumbing system.
According to lawyers representing the family, Aliyah was horrifically pulled into an unsecured gap in the pool’s flow system, measuring between 12 to 16 inches. They are seeking over $1 million in damages from the hotel as a result.
The incident unfolded when Aliyah’s mother, Daniela Jaico, realized her daughter was missing around 4:50 p.m. She immediately alerted hotel staff and requested to review the CCTV footage. Shockingly, hotel management denied her request, stating that the police needed to be present for viewing the surveillance video. The police were promptly called, and upon their arrival, they examined the CCTV footage. It revealed the heart-wrenching moment when Aliyah was dragged underwater and did not resurface.
In a poignant online post, Ms. Jaico expressed her love for her daughter, saying, “I hope to see you again one day, and you’ll keep looking at me with that big smile that brought so much joy. You gave yourself to love always with your noble heart. I will love you for all eternity. You are the most beautiful thing God has given me, and even though we didn’t win this battle together, rest in peace, my beautiful Wera. Forever you.”
The Hilton, parent company of the hotel, offered their condolences to the family and loved ones of the young girl. They clarified that the Houston Brookhollow location is independently owned and operated by a third party. The Hilton does not have direct control over the day-to-day operations or employ any of the property’s staff or third-party operators. The hotel has reported full cooperation with the ongoing investigation conducted by the authorities.
Our hearts go out to Aliyah’s family during this devastating time. It is a truly heartbreaking incident that serves as a painful reminder of the importance of pool safety measures.
