Two-year-old drowns at older brother's swimming event in Georgia; family blames lifeguards
Family calls for accountability as city investigates, and pool remains closed after the tragedy at Oakhurst Pool in Dacula.
A two-year-old girl died after drowning at her older brother's swimming event at the Oakhurst Pool in Dacula, Georgia, on Sept. 19, prompting a family-led call for accountability toward lifeguards on duty that day. Poppy Pepper, of Dacula near Atlanta, went under the water around 4 p.m. local time, according to the family and their attorney.
Three lifeguards were reportedly on site the day of the accident, and the city outsources lifeguard services at the pool, which is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is unclear where the lifeguards were at the time of the drowning. The Pepper family, through their attorney, Natanya Brooks, said there should always be eyes on the pool whenever people are present, arguing that drownings can unfold in minutes. "If there are kids on the deck, there have to be eyes on the pool, because this drowning happens so fast," Brooks told Decaturish.
The event was part of the fall kickoff for Poppy’s older brother’s swim team and had been scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. According to the family, around 3:55 p.m. her older sibling noticed her in the pool and alerted a lifeguard. The girl’s mother, who is herself a swim coach, performed CPR on Poppy before she was rushed to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where medical professionals spent hours trying to revive her. She was later pronounced dead.
The city has said it is conducting an investigation into the death. No legal action has yet been filed by the family. In a statement, the city expressed condolences and said it would not comment further while the investigation continues: "Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones, and all those impacted during this difficult time."
Officials also announced that the Oakhurst Recreation Center and pool would remain closed until further notice as investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
The Pepper family has established a GoFundMe page to help cover final arrangements and related expenses. In public remarks, the family described Poppy as a child who brought joy to those around her, with her father, John Michael Pepper, expressing gratitude for support while asking for privacy as they grieve. The Daily Mail, among other outlets, reported on the incident and the family’s statements, which have been shared with local outlets as the community seeks answers in the wake of the tragedy.