Girl, 2, drowns at older brother’s swimming event as family blames lifeguards

The family of a two-year-old girl who drowned at her brother’s swimming event in Georgia is blaming the lifeguards for failing to save her life. 

Poppy Pepper, of Dacula, near Atlanta, was with her family at the Oakhurst Pool on September 19 when she tragically drowned around 4pm, family lawyer Natanya Brooks confirmed. 

‘As far as I know, the only people that were there were just the family and the lifeguards,’ she told Decaturish. 

Three lifeguards were reportedly on site the day of the accident. The city outsources its lifeguards at the pool, which is open from 6am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, the outlet said. 

It is unclear where the three lifeguards were at the time of the drowning. Regardless, the family wants answers.

‘There should always be eyes on a pool if there are people at the pool,’ Brooks argued. ‘If there are kids on the deck, there have to be eyes on the pool, because this drowning happens so fast. This happens in a matter of minutes.’ 

The fall kickoff event for her brother’s swim team was scheduled to start at 4:30pm. Around 3:55pm, Poppy’s older sibling noticed her in the pool and contacted a lifeguard.

Her mother, the swim coach, performed CPR on the little girl before she was rushed off to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where medical professionals spent hours trying to save her, Decaturish reported. 

Poppy Pepper, of Dacula, near Atlanta, was with her family at the Oakhurst Pool on September 19 when she tragically drowned, the family’s lawyer said

Pictured: The pool at the recreational center 

She was later pronounced dead.  

The city is investigating Poppy’s death. The family has not yet pursued any legal action.

‘Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones, and all those impacted during this difficult time,’ the city told Decaturish. 

The Oakhurst Recreation Center and pool will remain closed until further notice. 

Poppy’s family remembered the girl as always full of joy.  

‘She loved her brother and sister and grandparents fiercely,’ Brooks told Atlanta News First. 

‘They called her Poppy Girl, and she represented just unconditional love.’ 

The family has launched a GoFundMe to help pay for their little girl’s final arrangements. 

Poppy’s mother, a swim coach, performed CPR on the little girl before she was rushed off to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where medical professionals spent hours trying to save her 

The girl’s family remembered her as always full of joy. ‘Our family has experienced an incredible loss of our beautiful daughter Poppy,’ her father, John Michael Pepper,said

‘Our family has experienced an incredible loss of our beautiful daughter Poppy,’ her father, John Michael Pepper, wrote.

‘Please help us during this difficult time to take care of arrangements and allow us to grieve. Thank you for all of your help.’ 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the family and lawyer for comment.