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Polk County Girl's Drowning Appears Accidental, Police Say

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

LAKE ALFRED - Polk County police are investigating the drowning of a 5-year-old girl which occurred Saturday evening.

At 6:40 p.m., authorities arrived at 660 Evenhouse Road responding to a 911 call when they found Dashanti Howell unconscious.

They said Howell had been playing by the above-ground family pool with her 6-year-old sister while her mother, Essie Weaver, and stepfather, Theapolis Island, prepared food nearby.

At some point Howell fell in the water and began to struggle. Weaver and Theapolis pulled her out, began CPR and called 911.

Howell was transported to Winter Haven Hospital but could not be revived. She was pronounced dead later that evening.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said they think the drowning was accidental. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

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