Six-year-old girl drowns in hot tub

A 6-year-old Carlos girl drowned in the hot tub of the Holiday Inn in Alexandria Sunday.

The Alexandria Police Department and North Ambulance responded to the scene at about 5:20 p.m.

CPR was being performed on the girl when police arrived. The girl, Kortni Botzet, was transported to Douglas County Hospital and was later pronounced dead.

According to police, here’s what happened: A man sitting at a table near the hot tub/whirlpool area saw that the girl needed help. He pulled her out of the water and yelled for help. Several different people immediately called 911 and CPR was started right away.

There were several large groups of people and children in the pool area of the hotel at the time of the incident.

The drowning is believed to be accidental. No foul play is suspected and no criminal charges are being sought, according to the police department.

Signs in the hotel’s pool area caution guests that no lifeguard is on duty, according to manager Bill Schultz.

On Monday, the Holiday Inn issued the following statement:

“The Holiday Inn Alexandria holds the safety and comfort of all guests as our top priority and concern. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the 6-year old girl who drowned last night in the hotel Jacuzzi. The hotel staff is cooperating fully with local authorities in their investigation of the situation.”

Kortni is the daughter of Jim and Nicole Botzet of Carlos.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Anderson Funeral Home of Alexandria.

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