Drowning Death of Union Child Still Under Investigation

The drowning death of a 2-year-old Union girl is still under investigation, according to police.

Police Chief Norman Brune said an autopsy was being conducted Monday on the body of Payton Craig who drowned Sunday in a neighbor’s inflatable pool.

“It appears to be an accident. We took the steps we would in any death and look at the circumstances surrounding it,” he said. “When it all comes together we will evaluate the case based on all circumstances not just initial investigation.”

Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Bob Parks said his office is waiting for a report from police to review.

According to police, Payton had drowned in a neighbor’s pool outside a Halligen Estates mobile home.

The girl and her twin brother had left the home between 5-8 a.m. through the back door. They had been left in the care of their mother’s boyfriend along with the twins’ 3-year-old brother. The man was sleeping when the twins left the home.

Police said the children’s mother had gone to work that morning and her 20-year-old boyfriend was at home with the children.

The boyfriend was awoken by the 3-year-old who told him the back door of the trailer was open.

The man got up and could not locate the twins inside the home. Also missing was the family’s black lab, according to police.

The mother of the children was contacted by her boyfriend who said the twins were missing, and she came home from work to look for them. When she returned home, she called out for the children and could hear the boy call for her.

He was located between two trailers with the dog, according to police.

The girl was found in the bottom of an inflatable pool containing 18 inches of water. She was taken out of the pool and her mother performed CPR.

Union ambulance and fire crews arrived at the scene. The girl was transported to Mercy Hospital Washington where she was pronounced dead, Union police said.

Donations are being accepted to assist the family with funeral expenses.

Information on the services is available by clicking here.

People may contact Midlawn Funeral Home at 636-583-3722 and make a donation directly. The Bank of Sullivan also has a fund set up to assist the family.