Family files lawsuit after 8-year-old girl 'violently sucked' into pool's pipe, dies

HOUSTON (TND) — A Texas family filed a lawsuit against a hotel chain after an 8-year-old girl was sucked into a pool's pipe and drowned.

Aliyah Jaico's body was found on Saturday at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Houston after first responders drained the pool.

Aliyah was reported missing when she "disappeared in a split second."

The family's lawyer, Richard Nava, told reporters on Tuesday that Aliyah and her family were having a pool day at the hotel with a lazy river when the horrific incident occurred.

The family is seeking justice for the Aliyah because "it could have been avoidable," according to Nava.

"Evidence points to this hotel ran an establishment with many violations. The pool was not in working order," said Nava.

The lawsuit was filed against Double Tree by Hilton and local owners who manage the property at 12801 Northwest Freeway.

Authorities have said that the pool's equipment, that Aliyah was sucked into, was "malfunctioning."

Nava said there were known issues with the pool's equipment and it's back flow.

Aliyah was "violently sucked 20 feet back into a pipe that was about 12 to 16 inches wide," according to Nava.

He said the girl's body was found contorted in the motor when the pipe was cut during the search.

"It was horrific," described Nava.

The Houston Health Department investigation at the hotel pool reportedly found multiple violations.

Authorities had to drain the pool and pushed poles with cameras to look for Aliyah.

Her body was reportedly recovered after 13 hours.

Nava said Aliya was an avid swimmer who loved to swim.

Aliya will be laid to rest on Thursday. Nava said the funeral will be public.

Lawyers are also working to get a temporary restraining order to get access to the facility and to view surveillance video that could have captured the moments that led up to Aliya being "violently sucked" into the swimming pool pipe.

The hotel has not commented on the tragedy.