Five-year-old Saylor Hayes vanished while on vacation with her family. The next day, her body was discovered in nearby water. Now, the medical examiner has confirmed what caused her death, although the circumstances surrounding the tragedy remain under investigation.
Saylor Hayes, 5, disappeared from her family’s vacation rental on Pawleys Island, South Carolina, USA, on August 30. Her body was recovered from nearby water the following day.
After an extensive investigation, the Georgetown County medical examiner determined that Saylor died from oxygen deprivation caused by drowning. Child neglect was also identified as a contributing factor.
However, the manner of death has been classified as undetermined. According to local authorities, investigators could not establish whether the incident was accidental or the result of a criminal act, People reported.
Saylor’s Parents Were Charged Following Her Death
Saylor’s parents, John Herb Hayes III, 71, and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, were arrested on September 1. Both were charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk and willfully abandoning a child.
According to police documents, Saylor had allegedly been left without supervision near the water. Investigators noted that the five-year-old had autism, was non-verbal, and was known to be drawn to water and prone to wandering away on her own.
Police also stated that the parents reportedly asked authorities to use Saylor’s tracking equipment through the Project Lifesaver program. However, the device had been removed before the family departed their home in Virginia. Authorities said Saylor was not wearing the tracking equipment when she was found.
Prosecutors have not established that the parents were responsible for their daughter’s death. The charges against them will be addressed through the court process, where the allegations are yet to be decided.
Circumstances Surrounding Saylor’s Death Remain Unclear
A preliminary autopsy conducted in September revealed fluid in Saylor’s lungs, but no visible external or internal injuries were identified, WCIV reported.
The final medical examiner’s assessment has now confirmed drowning as the cause of death. However, it has not provided a definitive answer about the circumstances that led to the tragedy, leaving the manner of death classified as undetermined.
Saylor’s parents are expected to appear in court again on November 19 in connection with the charges, according to WYFF.