BUSH – The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office reported the drowning of a three-year-old girl on Sunday.

The incident occurred on Sunday around 10 a.m. in the 82000 block of Highway 21 in Bush, LA after family members discovered their three-year-old daughter unresponsive in their swimming pool.

The mother of the girl told authorities that the three-year-old was in the living room playing and watching television. The mother walked away for a few minutes and when she returned, the girl was not there. After searching the home, another family member found her in the swimming pool unresponsive.

The mother performed CPR until emergency crews arrived. The girl was then airlifted to an area hospital, but despite attempts to save her, doctors pronounced her dead shortly after arrival. 

"This is any parents worse nightmare. Whenever a young child is involved in a tragic accident, it really hits home and affects everyone involved," Randy Smith, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff, said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We hope they find comfort during this heartbreaking time," Smith said.