A 20-month-old girl visiting Florida with her family died early Saturday after being found unresponsive in a hot tub at a vacation rental, officials said, and her father has been arrested on serious charges in connection with her death.
Osceola County deputies and Fire Rescue responded just after 3:30 a.m. On Saturday, the family from Washington, D.C. was staying at a home off Nice Court in the Four Corners area near Kissimmee, which was listed as an Airbnb.
The toddler, identified by authorities as Azariah Hough, was found in the hot tub and appeared to have drowned, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said. She was rushed to AdventHealth Celebration, where she was pronounced dead just after 4:30 a.m.
Father’s Account and Arrest
Azariah’s father, 33-year-old Reynard Tyrone Hough, told deputies that he had taken his daughter into the hot tub and had fallen asleep while holding her. When he awoke, the child was unresponsive, he told investigators.
Following the investigation, detectives concluded that Hough was neglectful in the death of his daughter. He was first arrested on a charge of child neglect with great bodily harm. On Sunday, authorities added a more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Hough appeared in court on Monday, where a judge set no bond, and he remains held in the Osceola County Jail. His next scheduled hearing is set for later this week.
Family Reaction and Circumstances
Family members expressed profound grief over the loss, describing how the tragedy has left them devastated, especially ahead of the holiday season. Relatives said the family was still mourning and struggling to process the loss of the young girl.
Investigation Continues
Authorities said the investigation into the circumstances of the child’s death is ongoing. The sheriff’s office has not released further details about any potential contributing factors. Still, the cold, early morning hours and proximity to holiday travel make the incident particularly harrowing for the family and community.
If you or someone you know is struggling with grief or family stress related to childcare or supervision challenges, local health professionals and crisis resources are available to help.
