Update – 1:25 p.m. – A young girl has died following an incident Tuesday afternoon at an outdoor pool located at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center.
Marylou Berg, the spokeswoman for the city of Rockville, confirmed the girl died after rescue workers transported her to Shady Grove Hospital. The 8-year-old girl was transported in critical condition, according to Beth Ann Nesselt, a spokeswoman for Montgomery Fire and Rescue Services.
Montgomery County Police identified the girl as Stephanie Benitez, of the 1700 block of Gunther Avenue in Rockville. Police announced Thursday they are investigating the sudden death of the girl.
"We're just totally, totally sad," said Veronica Diaz, Benitez's aunt. Diaz said Benitez was at the pool with her grandmother when the incident happened. She said the family believes the cause of her death may have been a heart issue. "It's very sad to lose someone, but it's even worse to lose someone that young."
Berg said she did not know what caused the Benitez's death. Montgomery Police said Benitez had jumped from the diving board and then swam to a nearby ladder. When she attempted to pull herself out of the water she began making what police described as "unusual movements."
The lifeguards at the pool rescued her and provided emergency care before emergency workers arrived, according to Berg. Police said Benitez was unresponsive and unconscious when pulled from the water. Benitez was then transported to the hospital, at which point Berg said the city did not receive any further information about her, besides being notified that she later died.
Montgomery Police said Benitez was then flown to a different hospital where she was pronunced dead Tuesday night.
The incident occurred around 2:40 p.m. at the outdoor fitness pool at the Martins Lane facility and Berg said the girl jumped off the 1-meter diving board at the pool.
“We’re incredibly saddened,” Berg said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
Montgomery Police said no foul play is suspected and the cause of death reamains undetermined pending the results of an autopsy.
Diaz said the family is trying to raise funds to help them pay for the funeral.
"The family, we never expected anything to happen to the child and her mother and father don't have enough funds, so we're trying to help them pay for the funeral," Diaz said. She said Benitez is survived by her mother and father, Carmen and Mario, and two little brothers.
