Inset: Brittany Neely (J. Reuben Long Detention Center). Background: The Sandbar Hotel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Google Maps).
Brittany Neely, 32, has been charged with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. According to court documents and a report from a local NBC affiliate WMBF, the Myrtle Beach Police Department responded to the Sandbar Hotel on South Ocean Boulevard on April 3. They were called after 14-year-old Neveah Neely was discovered unresponsive in the hotel’s pool.
First responders transported Neveah to a nearby hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead.
Authorities reported that Neveah was nonverbal due to autism and unable to swim. Neely allegedly left Neveah and her younger sibling at the pool while she stayed in the hotel room with other children, aged 7, 10, and 12. The group was visiting from North Carolina. The report did not specify Neely’s relationship to Neveah.
The investigation suggests that Neveah and her sibling were left unattended in the pool area for a significant amount of time. It is believed Neveah was underwater for approximately 45 minutes before anyone noticed the emergency, prompting the police to be alerted.
An investigation reportedly revealed Neely left Neveah and the sibling alone in the pool area for an extended amount of time. Detectives believe Neveah was underwater for at least 45 minutes before anyone noticed she was in distress. Neveah was pulled from the pool and cops were called.
Following an investigation, police arrested Neely and took her to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on a $100,000 bond, which she posted on Sunday, records show.
Her next court date is slated for June 5.
