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12-year-old boy found dead in pool at summer camp in York County

12-year-old boy found dead in pool at summer camp in York County
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE. TRAGEDY, BUT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS TONIGHT. WE NOW KNOW THAT THE SWIMMING POOL WHERE THE YOUNG MAN WAS FOUND DEAD EARLY THIS MORNING WAS CLOSED AND LOCKED BETWEEN SIX AND 6:30 LAST NIGHT. THE CHILD WAS NOT SEEN IN THE AREA OF THE POOL AT THE TIME. POLICE IDENTIFIED THE MISSING 12 YEAR OLD AS PAL KAI OF LANCASTER COUNTY. HE WAS VISITING THIS SUMMER. SUMMIT GROVE, CAMPGROUND AND CONFERENCE CENTER IN NEW FREEDOM WITH HIS CHURCH GROUP HOW WE GOT INTO THE SWIMMING POOL AFTER IT WAS CLOSED AND LOCKED IS THE FOCUS OF A POLICE INVESTIGATION. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE NO INFORMATION THAT IT’S ANYTHING OTHER THAN AN ACCIDENT, BUT WE’RE CERTAINLY GOING TO LOOK INTO EVERY ASPECT IN JUST TO MAKE SURE. NOW PLEASE SPENT THE DAY TALKING WITH OTHER CAMPERS AND STAFF HERE TO FIND OUT WHERE THE CHILD. WAS LAST SEEN THAT’S ABOUT A HUNDRED INTERVIEWS ALL TOGETHER. THE CAMPGROUND WAS CLOSED TODAY AS THE INVESTIGATION PLAYED OUT. IT’S NOT CLEAR YET WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW.
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12-year-old boy found dead in pool at summer camp in York County
A missing 12-year-old boy at a York County camp has been found dead.The Southern Regional Police chief and the York County Coroner’s Office both confirmed the death. The coroner said the 12-year-old was found just before 2 a.m. Thursday in the pool at Summit Grove in New Freedom.The child had been missing since 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. "At this point, we have no information that it's anything other than an accident, but we're certainly going to look into every aspect just to make sure," Chief James Boddington said.Police said the pool was closed and locked between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. It's not clear when the boy entered the pool area.Investigators spent Thursday talking with other campers and staff members."We're still trying to determine who all was at the pool, who had left the pool. We're still trying to interview people. There was a lot of people involved in the area," Boddington said. Summit Grove canceled all camps for the day.Camp statementSummit Grove released the following statement:"On June 29th, Pau Khai, a 12-year-old member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster (PA), was attending a three-day Church sponsored junior high retreat at Summit Grove in New Freedom (PA). Westminster Presbyterian Church rented the Summit Grove facility for their summer program."After a day of activities, Pau was apparently swimming in the facility’s swimming pool with other retreat guests during the scheduled 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. timeslot. Upon completion of the early evening swimming activity, Westminster Presbyterian Church organizers reportedly cleared the pool and were headed to the next activity when they noticed Pau was missing. Various retreat chaperones said they checked the pool and searched the area, but could not locate Pau. Concerned for his safety, 911 was called and the Southern York Regional Police Department responded, investigated and searched the grounds and surrounding area for Pau. After many hours, Pau was tragically found deceased in the pool at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 30th. Pau’s whereabouts and what specifically transpired between 6:00 p.m. on June 29th and 2:00 a.m. on June 30th is unknown and the focus on the ongoing police investigation."The Southern York Regional Police Department will continue to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, and will await the results of the medical examiner’s office to determine the exact manner and cause of death. As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, safety, and our pledge to our entire community, we will conduct an exhaustive internal review of this incident. Summit Grove will support Pau’s family while continuing to work with the Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Southern York Regional Police Department."Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Khai family, Pau’s friends, and the Westminster Presbyterian Church community as we continue to collectively mourn and process this devastating loss. Nothing is more important to Summit Grove than the health and wellbeing of all who utilize the campus. We thank you for your continued support of Pau’s family, the Westminster Presbyterian Church community, and Summit Grove during this most difficult time. Anyone who wishes to support the Khai family should contact Westminster Presbyterian Church of Lancaster."Any additional questions should be directed to the Southern York Regional Police Department."

A missing 12-year-old boy at a York County camp has been found dead.

The Southern Regional Police chief and the York County Coroner’s Office both confirmed the death.

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The coroner said the 12-year-old was found just before 2 a.m. Thursday in the pool at Summit Grove in New Freedom.

The child had been missing since 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.

"At this point, we have no information that it's anything other than an accident, but we're certainly going to look into every aspect just to make sure," Chief James Boddington said.

Police said the pool was closed and locked between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. It's not clear when the boy entered the pool area.

Investigators spent Thursday talking with other campers and staff members.

"We're still trying to determine who all was at the pool, who had left the pool. We're still trying to interview people. There was a lot of people involved in the area," Boddington said.

Summit Grove canceled all camps for the day.

Camp statement

Summit Grove released the following statement:

"On June 29th, Pau Khai, a 12-year-old member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster (PA), was attending a three-day Church sponsored junior high retreat at Summit Grove in New Freedom (PA). Westminster Presbyterian Church rented the Summit Grove facility for their summer program.

"After a day of activities, Pau was apparently swimming in the facility’s swimming pool with other retreat guests during the scheduled 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. timeslot. Upon completion of the early evening swimming activity, Westminster Presbyterian Church organizers reportedly cleared the pool and were headed to the next activity when they noticed Pau was missing. Various retreat chaperones said they checked the pool and searched the area, but could not locate Pau. Concerned for his safety, 911 was called and the Southern York Regional Police Department responded, investigated and searched the grounds and surrounding area for Pau. After many hours, Pau was tragically found deceased in the pool at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 30th. Pau’s whereabouts and what specifically transpired between 6:00 p.m. on June 29th and 2:00 a.m. on June 30th is unknown and the focus on the ongoing police investigation.

"The Southern York Regional Police Department will continue to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, and will await the results of the medical examiner’s office to determine the exact manner and cause of death. As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, safety, and our pledge to our entire community, we will conduct an exhaustive internal review of this incident. Summit Grove will support Pau’s family while continuing to work with the Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Southern York Regional Police Department.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Khai family, Pau’s friends, and the Westminster Presbyterian Church community as we continue to collectively mourn and process this devastating loss. Nothing is more important to Summit Grove than the health and wellbeing of all who utilize the campus. We thank you for your continued support of Pau’s family, the Westminster Presbyterian Church community, and Summit Grove during this most difficult time. Anyone who wishes to support the Khai family should contact Westminster Presbyterian Church of Lancaster.

"Any additional questions should be directed to the Southern York Regional Police Department."