The 5-year-old girls were visiting central Florida with family when they were found unresponsive in a vacation home’s swimming pool.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Twin 5-year-old sisters from Georgia died Friday after they were found unresponsive in the swimming pool of a vacation rental home in Kissimmee, authorities said. Emergency crews responded shortly after 11 a.m. and transported the girls to a children’s hospital, where both were later pronounced dead.
The deaths have prompted an investigation by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, which said homicide detectives are handling the case under standard procedures used in child death investigations. Authorities are working to determine exactly how the girls entered the pool and how long they were in the water. The incident has drawn renewed attention to pool safety at short-term rental properties during Florida’s busy summer tourism season.
According to investigators, emergency responders were dispatched to the rental property shortly after 11 a.m. Friday after reports of two children found in a backyard swimming pool. Deputies and rescue personnel arrived to find the twin sisters unresponsive at the bottom of the pool. First responders immediately began lifesaving efforts before the girls were airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. Despite those efforts, both children died several hours later. The family had traveled from Georgia to central Florida for a vacation. Investigators said four adults who were staying at the home had left the property to purchase food before the incident occurred. A 15-year-old was reportedly at the house at the time. Authorities have not publicly identified the children, and officials have not released additional details about the moments leading up to the discovery.
Law enforcement officials said detectives are gathering witness statements, reviewing the timeline of events and examining the property as part of the investigation. The medical examiner’s office is expected to determine the official cause and manner of death. Authorities have not indicated whether any safety barriers, alarms or other protective measures were present around the pool area, and investigators have not announced any findings regarding supervision or access to the water. Public Information Officer Kim Montes described the incident as a tragedy and noted that rental properties are frequently involved in drowning and near-drowning cases in the region. Officials emphasized that many questions remain unanswered while investigators continue their work. No criminal allegations have been announced, and authorities have not said whether any violations related to the property have been identified. The investigation remained active Friday evening.
The deaths occurred during a year in which Florida has continued to struggle with child drowning incidents. Water-related fatalities remain one of the leading causes of accidental death among young children nationwide. Central Florida, with its large number of vacation homes and private swimming pools, has long been a focus of water-safety campaigns aimed at residents and tourists alike. Local authorities frequently remind property owners and visitors about the risks posed by unattended pools, particularly when young children are present. Child advocates and safety organizations have pointed to layers of protection such as barriers, alarms and constant supervision as important safeguards. The latest deaths add to a growing number of child drownings reported across Florida in 2026. Statewide figures compiled by local media have documented dozens of fatal incidents involving children this year, underscoring the persistent challenge faced by communities during warmer months.
Investigators are expected to continue interviewing family members and reviewing evidence collected from the property in the coming days. The medical examiner’s findings may help establish a more complete timeline and clarify circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have not announced when a final investigative report might be completed. Detectives are also expected to review any available records related to the rental home and examine whether all applicable safety requirements were met. Standard procedures in child death cases often involve a comprehensive review of witness accounts, physical evidence and medical findings before investigators determine whether any further action is warranted. Until that process is complete, officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions about what occurred. No court proceedings or charges have been announced.
Neighbors and community members expressed sympathy for the family as news of the deaths spread through the area. First responders, medical personnel and law enforcement officers spent hours at the scene and at the hospital as efforts continued to save the children. Montes said the loss was heartbreaking for everyone involved. The case also resonated with families visiting the region during the summer travel season, when thousands of tourists stay in rental homes equipped with private pools. While investigators worked behind the scenes to establish the facts, the focus remained on the sudden loss of two young sisters whose vacation ended in tragedy. Officials said their thoughts were with the family as they cope with the deaths.
The investigation remained ongoing late Friday, with authorities awaiting additional medical findings and investigative results. Officials have not released the girls’ names, and no determination beyond an apparent drowning had been announced. The next major milestone in the case is expected to be the medical examiner’s report and any subsequent updates from investigators.