Pool Drain Nightmare: Child's Life Altered Forever

In February 2025, a family vacation at Punta Mita Resort in Mexico turned tragic when a 5-year-old girl sustained severe injuries due to a malfunctioning pool drain. The incident occurred when a defective or dislodged drain cover exposed powerful suction, trapping the child. Her family struggled to find the emergency shutoff, losing critical minutes. The suction caused catastrophic internal damage, including the tearing of her small intestine. She underwent extensive surgeries and requires lifelong parenteral nutrition treatment. Her parents, Carolina Velez and Adam Quatrini, have filed a $150,000 lawsuit against Hayward Industries, the pool drain manufacturer, seeking damages and to highlight the dangers of pool drain entrapment. The lawsuit, refiled in Pittsburgh, cites the majority of medical witnesses being in the city. The family urges others to take safety precautions, such as identifying emergency shutoffs and checking pool drains before use.