Family of 6-year-old drowning victim calls for state and federal investigation into her death

GASTON COUNTY, NC — Something doesn’t add up. That’s what the family of a little girl who drowned last year is saying about her death.

The Gaston County family recently learned their daughter’s case is closed despite what they believe is clear evidence this was more than a tragic drowning.

It’s been a year of waiting, a year of wondering, a year’s worth of questions.

Memorial Day weekend of last year, Ariana Baldwin went to a friend’s birthday party in Dallas, NC. The home on Ike Lynch Road had a pool. That morning, Baldwin and another child drowned.

“I prayed that I could not consider anything other than it just happened to my granddaughter. There was an accident but, as we find, the more investigation is questionable,” said James Camm.

Baldwin’s family believe there’s too many discrepancies in the 6-year-old’s death. The family says Ariana was found with a dent in her forehead, blunt force abdomen injuries, bruising on her face and scrapes on her elbows and eyebrows. Signs of trauma that were overlooked, ignored and never investigated.

The family says in the autopsy or EMS report there’s no mention of the little girl’s hair or clothes being wet, or water in the ears or nose. Signs typically associated with drownings.

The family says the Gaston County Police Department told them earlier this month, Ariana’s case was closed. Now, they want the state and the DOJ to reopen it.

We reached out to the Gaston County Police Department for comment, they have not responded.

Ariana’s family set up a GoFundMe to pay for an independent investigation.