A 6-year-old Georgia girl who died during a school field trip has been identified as Victoria King. Her family says they are still waiting for answers and have yet to hear directly from the school.
The Paulding County School District said the McGarity Elementary School student was visiting Carlton Farms in Rockmart on Wednesday, Oct. 8, when she was found “unresponsive.” Authorities said she was discovered in a pool on the property.
According to the Polk County Police Department (PCPD), first responders arrived to find the child “not breathing.” She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Family members told WSB-TV and WXIA-TV that they have received few details about what happened. In a statement, her aunts and uncles said they “have not been told how school staff lost track of her, how she got to the pool, or how long she was there.”
They also noted that the pool “was not part of the trip,” and the family does not know why it was accessible or whether it had been properly secured. “The family cannot understand why an adult swimming pool on the same property was left unguarded or accessible while a school field trip of young children was underway,” the statement continued. “They are heartbroken, confused, and still have no clear answers about what happened to their child.”
The family added that “no one from McGarity Elementary has personally reached out — not a single call, message, or representative has contacted the parents to offer condolences or visit to mourn with them.”
“While the school community received a general letter, the parents themselves were never contacted or comforted directly,” they said. “That silence has added to their pain.” The family expressed gratitude to the Rockmart Walmart community and management, who “personally reached out to offer condolences and help,” saying their compassion provided comfort during an unbearable time.
Victoria’s parents are not ready to speak publicly but want others to understand “the depth of their loss, the unanswered questions they still face, and how much the compassion of the community has meant compared to the silence from the school.” They added that they “continue to hope the truth will come out and that justice will be served for Victoria.”
The Paulding County School District expressed condolences to Victoria’s family, saying counseling and bereavement support will be available to students and staff. “Our hearts are with the student’s family and loved ones,” wrote principal Jamesa Hodge in a letter. “This is a difficult time for all of us, but I know our McGarity community will come together with compassion and care as we remember our classmate.”
In a statement shared on Facebook, Carlton Farms said its staff and family are “completely devastated and heartbroken” by the tragedy. “We covet your prayers of comfort for the family, school, and all those who were in attendance,” they wrote, adding that all activities at the farm “are currently postponed as we continue to grieve this loss.”
“Thank you for understanding,” the statement concluded. “Most importantly, thank you for continually lifting everyone involved up in fervent prayer.”
