The proprietor of Doubletree by Hilton Houston stands firm in denying any wrongdoing regarding the tragic drowning of 8-year-old Aliyah Jaico on March 23, attributing her demise to her mother’s alleged negligence, as outlined in legal filings.
Initially reported missing by her family, Aliyah was later discovered by emergency responders several hours later, lodged within the pipe system of a lazy river pool feature at the Doubletree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow.
Hotel Claims Parents Were Negligent
Unique Crown Hospitality LLC, the entity owning the hotel, contends in court documents that the family’s actions or oversights directly contributed to the incident, resulting in the purported injuries and damages.
According to Pool Magazine’s earlier coverage, Aliyah was last seen swimming in the hotel pool before her disappearance prompted her family to contact authorities around 5:45 p.m. Houston police spokesperson John Cannon stated that video footage depicted Aliyah submerging underwater before efforts to locate her commenced. Eventually, she was found trapped within the malfunctioning pool equipment after the pool was drained, requiring authorities to employ cameras to scour the pipes of both the pool and the lazy river.
Court documents further assert that the hotel owner bears no liability for the incident, citing the involvement of third parties over which they purportedly had no control or responsibility.
In response to a wrongful death lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages, filed by Jose Daniela Jaico Ahumada against Doubletree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow, the plaintiff alleges the hotel failed to ensure a safe swimming environment and neglected to implement adequate safeguards in the area where the tragedy unfolded.
The lawsuit accuses the hotel of gross negligence, claiming the business was aware of the risks involved but proceeded recklessly, ultimately leading to Aliyah’s demise and subsequent damages.
Aliyah’s mother is seeking compensation for various expenses, including medical, counseling, funeral, and burial costs, as well as for the intangible loss of her daughter’s companionship and care.
An investigation conducted by the Houston Health Department revealed several safety deficiencies in the lazy river area, prompting orders for the pool’s closure until corrective measures were implemented.
In its legal response to the lawsuit, Unique Crowne Hospitality LLC seeks to challenge any claims of gross negligence, demanding clear and convincing evidence to support such allegations. Additionally, they seek a reduction in potential damages based on the apportionment of responsibility determined by a jury.
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