Rockmart, GA – The family of 6-year-old Victoria King, a McGarity Elementary School student who tragically died during a field trip to Carlton Farms in Rockmart, has publicly identified the young girl while demanding answers about how such an incident could have occurred.
Discovery at the Farm
According to the Polk County Police Department, the tragedy unfolded on Wednesday, when a staff member noticed that one of the students was missing during the trip. After a search, the child was found unresponsive in a pool located next to a house on the property. Despite emergency efforts, she could not be revived.
The pool, police say, was not part of the official field trip area, and it remains unclear how the child gained access to it.
Family’s Statement and Unanswered Questions
Victoria’s family, through her aunts and uncles, shared a heartfelt statement with Channel 2 Action News, expressing grief and frustration over the unanswered questions surrounding her death.
“The family is still in deep grief and struggling with unanswered questions. They have not been told how school staff lost track of her, how she got to the pool, or how long she was there,” the statement read.
“The pool was not part of the trip, and the family still does not know how it was accessible or whether it had been properly secured or supervised as an adult pool.”
The relatives questioned how an adult swimming pool could be left unguarded and accessible while a large group of young children was present on the same property. They described their heartbreak and disbelief, emphasizing that no one from McGarity Elementary had personally contacted the parents since the incident.
Family Feels Unsupported by School
The family also shared their disappointment that, while the school community received a general letter, Victoria’s parents never received a direct call or visit from school officials.
“What has made it even harder is that no one from McGarity Elementary has personally reached out — not a single call, message, or representative has contacted the parents to offer condolences or visit to mourn with them,” they wrote.
In contrast, they noted that the Rockmart Walmart community and management had reached out personally to express condolences and offer support — an act of kindness that brought them comfort during their time of loss.
Community and School Response
The Paulding County School District issued a statement expressing deep condolences to Victoria’s family and confirmed that counseling and bereavement services are being provided to students and staff affected by the tragedy.
“Our hearts are with the student’s family and loved ones,” Principal Jamesa Hodge wrote in a letter to the school community. “This is a difficult time for all of us, but I know our McGarity community will come together with compassion and care as we remember our classmate.”
Meanwhile, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has joined the death investigation, at the request of local authorities, to help determine how the incident occurred and whether safety protocols were breached.
About Carlton Farms
Carlton Farms is a popular family-owned attraction known for its pumpkin patches, corn maze, and educational tours during the fall season. The farm has operated in Polk County for more than a century.
A woman at the property told Channel 2’s Bryan Mims that no one at the farm would be making any comment at this time.
Grieving Family Hopes for Justice
For Victoria’s family, the pain remains raw and the questions remain unanswered. They say they are not yet ready for interviews but want the public to understand the depth of their loss and their ongoing hope for justice.
“The family continues to hope that the truth will come out and that justice will be served for Victoria,” the statement concluded.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to this heartbreaking tragedy.
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