The Tragic Story of Abigail Rose Taylor and why proper installation and maintenance of bottom drains are critically important.

I'm sure that most of you reading this are familiar with The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. (VGBA) It is a federal law that requires safety features in public pools and spas to prevent entrapment hazards. The law was signed into law in 2007 and took effect in 2008. Some of it's background;

In June 2002, 7 year old Virginia became stuck to a hot tub drain and was unable to pull herself free. Efforts by her mother to pull Graeme from the drain proved unsuccessful. Two men who eventually freed Graeme from the spa pulled so hard that the drain cover broke from the force. Graeme died from drowning, but the real cause of her death was suction entrapment due to a faulty drain cover. After her tragic death, her mother, Nancy Baker, worked tirelessly to advocate for pool and spa safety. Mrs. Baker, her family and Safe Kids Worldwide actively lobbied Congress to win support for a law to require anti-entrapment drain covers and other safety devices, as needed. The statute, which was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, was signed into law, in December 2007.

What happened to Abigail Rose Taylor?

I learned about Abigail's story at a CPO class in the Twin Cities. Her story stays with me to this day.

In June 2007, six-year-old Abbey suffered a horrific injury. While playing in a public wading pool, Abbey unknowingly sat on a poorly maintained drain that was unequipped with the appropriate safety devices. The powerful suction eviscerated Abbey, ripping her small intestine from her body. Nine months of medical care followed, including 16 surgeries, multiple organ transplants, several infections and many, many nights spent in a hospital bed. Despite the best medical care, Abbey went peacefully with her family by her side in March 2008.

Why did this happen? The details behind the story of sweet Abigail will make you nauseous. Eight days before 6-year-old Abigail Taylor became trapped in a country club's wading pool, the staff talked about how the powerful suction created by a faulty drain could kill or injure someone. But no one acted to make sure the drain in the club's pool was safe, and eventually Abigail's injuries cost the youngster her life. Click on the picture below to view the entire Minneapolis Star Tribune article.

The pool operators repeatedly cut corners and used shoddy, worn-out materials on the drain cover, often ignoring the safety instructions from the manufacturer.

"They ran everything on the cheap and in a hurry," said Bennett. "They bought the right assembly from Sta-Rite back in 1999. [But] they threw the bottom away," he said, and attached the top to a worn-out frame with worn-out plugs.

He said they did the same thing in 2002, the last time the cover was replaced.

Abbigail's destiny with death was inplace before she was born.