Teen with autism drowns in hotel pool after being left alone

Brittany Neely charged with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child after 14-year-old Neveah Neely's death

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:54pm

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An extreme close-up of a metal swimming pool drain cover, its surface texture and shadows dramatically illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash, conveying a sense of gritty investigation into a tragic incident.The chilling aftermath of a preventable tragedy, as investigators examine the pool drain that failed to save a vulnerable teen's life.Myrtle Beach Today

A 32-year-old woman has been charged with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child after a 14-year-old girl with autism drowned in a hotel pool in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Authorities say Brittany Neely left the nonverbal, non-swimming teen and her younger sibling alone in the pool area for at least 45 minutes, during which time Neveah Neely was submerged underwater and died.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the vulnerability of children with special needs and the importance of proper supervision, especially in potentially dangerous environments like hotel pools. It also raises questions about the duty of care for caretakers and the need for better safety protocols at hotels to prevent such devastating accidents.

The details

According to police, Brittany Neely left 14-year-old Neveah Neely, who had autism and could not swim, alone in the pool area of the Sandbar Hotel in Myrtle Beach with her younger sibling. Neely was instead hanging out in the hotel room with other children aged 7, 10, and 12. Investigators believe Neveah was underwater for at least 45 minutes before anyone noticed she was in distress. She was pulled from the pool and rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

  • On April 3, police responded to the Sandbar Hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
  • Neveah Neely was found unresponsive in the hotel pool and rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
  • Brittany Neely was arrested and charged with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child on April 3.
  • Neely posted a $100,000 bond on April 5 and is scheduled to appear in court on June 5.

The players

Brittany Neely

A 32-year-old woman who was charged with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child after allegedly leaving a 14-year-old girl with autism alone in a hotel pool, resulting in the teen's drowning death.

Neveah Neely

A 14-year-old girl with autism who drowned in the hotel pool after being left alone by Brittany Neely.

Sandbar Hotel

The hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where the drowning incident occurred.

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What’s next

Brittany Neely's next court date is scheduled for June 5, where a judge will determine if she will face further legal consequences for the incident.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking case underscores the need for heightened safety measures and caregiver accountability when it comes to supervising children, especially those with special needs, in high-risk settings like hotel pools. It serves as a tragic reminder of the grave consequences that can result from a lapse in proper care and supervision.