Victoria King: 6-Year-Old McGarity Elementary Student Drowns During Field Trip to Carlton Farms in Rockmart, Georgia — Family Blames School, Demands Answers

Rockmart, Georgia — The family of Victoria King, a 6-year-old girl who died during a McGarity Elementary School field trip to Carlton Farms in Rockmart, is demanding accountability after their daughter was found unresponsive in a pool that was reportedly not part of the scheduled activities.

According to 11Alive News, Victoria was discovered in a pool adjacent to a private home on the farm property after staff realized she was missing from her group around noon on Wednesday. Despite bystanders performing CPR and emergency responders rushing the child to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center in Rome, Victoria was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The King family, devastated by the loss, released a statement expressing frustration and disbelief at the circumstances surrounding their daughter’s death — and at the school’s alleged lack of communication.

6-Year-Old McGarity Elementary Student Drowns During Field Trip to Carlton Farms in Rockmart, Georgia — Family Blames School, Demands Answers

“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 family’s 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 statement also accused McGarity Elementary School of failing to contact the parents directly after the tragedy:

“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.”

 

Victoria King 6 year old McGarity School girl dies during school field trip.

 

Principal Jamesa Hodge, in a letter to the broader school community, offered condolences but did not specify details surrounding supervision during the trip:

“Our hearts are with the student’s family and loved ones. As our school community processes this tragedy, we will offer counseling and bereavement support services to all students and staff.”

In response to the incident, Carlton Farms issued a public statement on Facebook expressing heartbreak and announcing a suspension of all activities:

“The Carlton Family and staff at Carlton Farms are completely devastated and heartbroken from the recent tragic event that occurred on our farm. We covet your prayers of comfort for the family, school, and all those who were in attendance. Activities at the farm are currently postponed as we continue to grieve this loss.”

Victoria King’s funeral was held Monday morning as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the drowning.

The family says they will not rest until they receive clear answers about how a six-year-old child could vanish under supervision during a school trip and end up in a restricted area containing a pool.