Five-year-old Saylor Hayes disappeared while her family was on vacation. The following day, her body was discovered in nearby water. Now, the medical examiner has confirmed the cause of her death, although important questions about the circumstances remain unanswered.
Saylor Hayes, 5, went missing from her family’s vacation rental on Pawleys Island, South Carolina, on August 30. Her body was recovered from nearby water the next day.
After an extensive investigation, the Georgetown County medical examiner determined that Saylor died from oxygen deprivation caused by drowning. Child neglect was also listed as a contributing factor.
However, the manner of death was classified as undetermined. Investigators could not establish whether the drowning was accidental or resulted from a criminal act, according to local authorities, as reported by People.
The Parents Were Charged Following Saylor’s Death
Saylor’s parents, John Herb Hayes III, 71, and Geordyn Nichole Hayes, 31, were arrested on September 1. Both were charged with unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child.
According to police documents, Saylor was allegedly left without supervision near the water.
The investigation noted that she had autism, was non-verbal, and was known to be attracted to water and prone to wandering away on her own.
Police also said the parents reportedly asked authorities to use Saylor’s tracking equipment through the Project Lifesaver program. However, the device had apparently been removed before the family left their home in Virginia.
According to police, Saylor was not wearing the tracking equipment when she was found.
Although her parents have been charged, prosecutors have not established that they were responsible for her death. The allegations against them will be addressed through the court process.
The Circumstances of the Death Remain Unclear
A preliminary autopsy conducted in September found fluid in Saylor’s lungs but revealed no visible external or internal injuries, according to WCIV.
The final medical examiner’s assessment has now confirmed drowning as the cause of death. However, the classification of the manner of death as undetermined means investigators have not reached a conclusion about exactly how the tragedy happened.
Saylor’s parents are expected to return to court on November 19 in connection with the charges, according to WYFF.
As the legal proceedings continue, questions surrounding the circumstances of the five-year-old’s death remain unresolved.
