A family outing at a well-known California reservoir ended in heartbreak after a young girl drowned, with investigators saying she may have been playing on a raft shortly before the tragedy.
Authorities identified the child as 3-year-old Lailah Rosillo, who died Saturday at Fleming Meadows Lagoon in Don Pedro Reservoir, a popular recreation area roughly three hours east of San Francisco. The incident unfolded at around 3:30 p.m. local time.
According to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were first alerted by a call reporting that a three-year-old girl was missing and feared to have drowned in the lake.
While officers were on their way to the reservoir, additional 911 calls came in with an urgent update: the child had been located, and bystanders were attempting CPR in a desperate effort to save her life.
Despite the rapid response from Good Samaritans, deputies, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, the sheriff’s office said Lailah could not be revived.
Officials said she was pronounced dead at the scene before she could be transported for further medical treatment.
On Tuesday, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office appealed to the public for assistance as investigators continue piecing together the circumstances surrounding the fatal drowning at Don Pedro Reservoir.
As part of that request, law enforcement shared an image of a blue raft that Lailah may have been using, with the photo appearing to show several people gathered near the vessel at the busy lagoon.
Lailah Rosillo, 3, drowned to death in the Fleming Meadows Lagoon at Don Pedro Reservoir on Saturday
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office asked the public for help concerning the fatal drowning, saying this raft may have been involved (Red circle by the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office)
911 calls initially said the little girl was missing and may have drowned, only for callers to later say that the girl had been found and that members of the public were performing CPR on her
A fundraiser meant to support Lailah’s funeral and memorial expenses said that ‘a joyful family camping trip became an unimaginable nightmare’
Authorities are specifically looking for photos or videos that may show the child on a raft or boat with other children.
Law enforcement is also seeking to get in touch with witnesses ‘who may have seen the child before she was pulled out of the water.’
A GoFundMe posted by Yolanda Muro, who identified herself as a close friend of Lailah’s grandmother Lisa, recalled the little girl as someone ‘whose smile brought happiness to everyone around her.’
‘What was meant to be a joyful family camping trip became an unimaginable nightmare that no parent, sibling, or grandparent should ever have to endure,’ the fundraiser said.
Lailah was survived by an older brother and sister, as well as a baby brother, according to the family friend.
‘Her parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family are devastated and trying to cope with a loss that no family is ever prepared for,’ Muro wrote.
The fundraiser, which will support Lailah’s funeral and memorial expenses, was looking to raise $12,000.
As of Wednesday, about $8,900 had been raised.
Law enforcement said they were looking for photos or videos that may show Lailah on a raft or boat with other children, and that they were also hoping to get in touch with witnesses
The Fleming Meadows area includes a 2-acre swimming lagoon, as well as various camping loops and different amenities for children and families
Lailah, who was survived by an older brother, older sister. and a baby brother, was remembered as someone ‘whose smile brought happiness to everyone around her’
Lailah’s aunt, Art Martinez, called her niece’s death the ‘most horrible thing possible’ in a public Facebook post.
‘I can’t even imagine the pain my sister is feeling,’ Martinez added. ‘All we can do is be here for her and other kids.’
The Fleming Meadows area offers different camping loops and features a 2-acre swimming lagoon, according to the Don Pedro Lake website.
Other amenities include a beach area, a large grass lawn, a snack shack, horseshoe pits, a ball field and a volleyball court.
The reservoir, which was created in 1971, holds more than 2 million acre-feet of water.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the TCSO for further comment.
