The Ansley Golf Club pool was closed Saturday after the club reported the accidental drowning of a 4-year-old girl.
"Last night we experienced a tragic event at the pool with the passing of a young girl," Ansley Golf Club President Andy Feinour said in a statement. "At this time, we ask for your thoughts and prayers for the family members and friends impacted by this event."
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified the girl Saturday morning as Elliott Githens of Atlanta.
The child was a pre-schooler at Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church, according to a note the church sent to members.
“It is with great sadness I share with you the accidental drowning of Elliott Githens on Friday night,” the note said. “An accident at the pool claimed the bright smile and gentle soul of this sweet and vibrant little girl.”
A prayer vigil for the family has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at Haygood Memorial.
Friday's incident was the second child drowning in the area during the week. A 16-month-old child died Wednesday in a drowning at a residential pool in Clermont, according to the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
Rodney Thrash
Body found in Chattahoochee
Authorities were trying Saturday to identify a woman whose body was found in the Chattahoochee River.
Just after 9:30 a.m. Saturday, authorities recovered the body between Abbotts Bridge and State Bridge roads, Johns Creek police spokesman Doug Nurse told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A boater reported a body in the river near State Bridge Road, he said.
Boaters Brandon Davis and Baker Martin had been fishing for a couple of hours when they saw something strange about 8:30 a.m., they told Channel 2 Action News.
“I looked over and I was like, ‘Looks like blue jeans,’” Martin told the television station.
“Looked to be a female,” Davis said. “Could see a tattoo on her back. Shirt kinda bunched up.”
Davis and Martin, who passed the location three times before they noticed the body, said it was lying over a log and was not wearing shoes.
Gwinnett County authorities assisted Johns Creek in the recovery of the body, Capt. Tommy Rutledge, spokesman for Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, said in an emailed statement.
While the body was found in Johns Creek, it was retrieved on the Gwinnett side. However, the body was taken to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office, where an autopsy will be performed, Channel 2 reported.
Johns Creek police checked with nearby agencies, but they did not have any cases of missing people who matched the woman’s description, the television station reported.
Rodney Thrash
Atlanta police search for missing 3-year-old
The Atlanta Police Department is asking for help in locating a 3-year-old girl reported missing shortly after midnight Saturday.
Azaria Grace Iwangou was last seen at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday in the area of 2350 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, according to police. She was wearing a white and blue dress, black tights, a pink and gray sweatshirt and clear sandals. She is about 2-foot-6 and weighs about 35 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair with braids.
The girl and her mother were walking with an acquaintance to his home when the mother fell behind and the man continued with the child, police said. The man’s name is Anthony and he is also known as Ant. He lives in the Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and Hollywood Road area, but his last name and address are unknown.
Investigators ask that anyone with information on Azaria’s whereabouts call 911.
Molly Bloom
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