The tragic drowning of 4-year-old Demi Williams at Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has sparked a wrongful death lawsuit filed by her mother, Destiny Morgan. The lawsuit accuses the resort of negligence in failing to have a lifeguard on duty and not providing adequate safety measures to prevent such incidents. Demi’s death is at least the third child drowning at the resort between 2018 and 2021. The family is seeking to change the resort’s safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
Morgan and her five children had traveled from Louisville, Kentucky for a spring break vacation, where Demi tragically drowned in a pool at the resort. Despite efforts from guests to resuscitate her, Demi did not survive. The lawsuit alleges that the resort’s lack of lifeguards and insufficient staff played a role in Demi’s death. Despite multiple attempts, Crown Reef’s general manager and the resort’s attorney have not responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
Following Demi’s death, Morgan was arrested on charges of unlawful neglect of a child, which were later dropped. Her family has been profoundly impacted by the loss of Demi, with Morgan recalling the heartbreaking moment her other children witnessed their sister being taken from the pool. The devastating impact of the tragedy continues to affect the family, with Morgan’s older children still praying for their sister to return.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, which oversees public swimming facilities in the state, does not require lifeguards at all pools or AEDs near swimming areas. Although the Department found no violations during its inspections at Crown Reef, Morgan’s attorneys argue that mere signage is insufficient to prevent drownings. They are advocating for increased safety measures at the resort, such as more lifeguards, better lighting, and improved staffing to enhance guest protection.
The lawsuit seeks to hold Crown Reef accountable for the unsafe conditions that led to Demi’s death and to push for significant safety improvements at the resort. Following a similar drowning incident in 2018, the resort was sued, with the blame placed on the lack of lifeguards and overcrowded pool areas. Both Morgan and the mother of the previous victim had been initially charged in connection with their daughters’ deaths, but the charges were ultimately dropped. This tragic incident has spotlighted the need for more robust safety measures at recreation facilities to prevent such devastating losses in the future.
