News

Actions

Virginia Beach child with autism dies after being found in neighbor’s pool

Posted at 11:18 AM, Sep 01, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-01 17:34:11-04

Virginia Beach, Va. - An 8-year-old girl with autism was pronounced dead after being found in a neighbor's pool in Virginia Beach.

(WTKR's Erica Greenway)

(WTKR's Erica Greenway)

Police say they received a report about a lost child around 9:45 a.m.

After searching for approximately 10 minutes, the girl was found in the neighbor's pool in the 1800 block of Foxon Court.

Neighbors say the child, identified as Katilyn King, was still learning to swim and loved the water.

Last week, Harry Declet says King attended a special surf camp.

"She had come a long way. She was very smart," says Declet.

He says he is having a hard time dealing with the tragedy and says she will be missed.

"I guess God needed a special angel up there, he got Katilyn," says Declet.