Family Files Lawsuit Against DoubleTree by Hilton After 8-Year-Old Daughter Tragically Dies After Getting Sucked into Pool Pipe
On March 23, 8-year-old Aliyah Lynette Jaico tragically lost her life after being sucked into a swimming pool pipe at a DoubleTree by Hilton in northwest Houston. The catastrophe occurred while Aliyah was swimming with her family at the hotel’s lazy river. What began as a leisurely day of family recreation turned into a harrowing ordeal when Aliyah seemingly vanished from sight while in the pool. Following approximately an hour of frantic search efforts by her family and alerting hotel staff, Aliyah's mother contacted the authorities regarding her daughter's disappearance.
Following a review of surveillance footage by local authorities, it was verified that Jaico had not surfaced after being seen going underwater. Texas EquuSearch was summoned to utilize specialized equipment to examine the pool's piping system. Tragically, it was discovered that Aliyah had been forcibly drawn into an inadequately secured opening in the swimming pool's flow mechanism, measuring between 12 to 16 inches in diameter.
As reported by ABC 7 Houston, multiple violations were reported upon inspections by the Houston Health Department and recent piping in the pool’s infrastructure was not functioning properly, potentially causing water to be drawn inward instead of being expelled outward.
Legal action has been initiated on behalf of Aliyah's family against Hilton and Unique Crowne Hospitality. The lawsuit, filed on March 25, seeks damages amounting to no less than $1 million. The litigation alleges that negligence and inadequate safety measures on the part of the hotel management directly contributed to Aliyah's untimely death. The complaint contends that the absence of proper safeguards around the pool's flow system created a perilous hazard, ultimately resulting in the tragic loss of Aliyah's life.
In response to inquiries regarding the lawsuit, Hilton issued a statement extending condolences to Aliyah's family. However, the company clarified that the property in question operates independently.
