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Inset: Brittany Neely (J. Reuben Long Detention Center). Background: The Sandbar Hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Google Maps).
Brittany Neely, a 32-year-old woman, faces charges of four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, as indicated by court records. According to the police report, Neveah, who was nonverbal and unable to swim, had been left alone with her younger sibling at the pool. Meanwhile, Brittany Neely was reportedly in a hotel room upstairs with other children, ages 7, 10, and 12, when the tragedy occurred. The group was visiting the hotel from North Carolina.
After Neveah was discovered unresponsive, emergency responders quickly transported her to the hospital. Sadly, despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead by medical staff. While the police report did not specify the nature of the relationship between Brittany Neely and Neveah, the case has raised serious concerns about the supervision and care provided to the children during the trip.
Paramedics rushed her to the hospital where doctors pronounced her dead.
Cops say Neveah was nonverbal with autism. She also was unable to swim, investigators reportedly said. Neely allegedly left Neveah and the younger sibling alone in the pool area while she was hanging out in the hotel room with other children. The kids were ages 7, 10 and 12. Neely and the kids were visiting from North Carolina. The report did not detail the relationship between Neely and Neveah.
An investigation reportedly revealed Neely left Neveah and the sibling alone in the pool area for an extended amount of time. Detectives believe Neveah was underwater for at least 45 minutes before anyone noticed she was in distress. Neveah was pulled from the pool and cops were called.
Following an investigation, police arrested Neely and took her to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on a $100,000 bond, which she posted on Sunday, records show.
Her next court date is slated for June 5.