Family speaks out one week after 9-year-old drowned at Henrico swim camp

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that 9-year-old King Overton died by accidental drowning at SwimRVA-North in Henrico County, Virginia. The death has prompted investigations by Henrico Police, Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, and the Virginia Department of Education, according to official reports.

Family friend Keila Bellamy stated that King was part of a group that swam from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. He was pulled unresponsive from the pool at approximately 2:34 p.m. King’s mother, LaTaisha, reported that her son was full of water when she saw him, leading to questions about how long he had been in the pool.

Cherry Stone, King’s aunt, said the boy was enrolled in the camp to learn how to swim safely for an annual family trip to South Carolina. Stone noted that King was in a location that was supposed to protect and watch him.

Did You Know? King Overton was pulled unresponsive from the pool at 2:34 p.m., nearly 20 minutes after his assigned group’s swim session ended at 2:15 p.m.

Why are the family and authorities investigating the timeline?

The family is seeking answers regarding the gap between the end of the swim lesson and when King was discovered. Keila Bellamy said King’s mother is unsure if he drowned during the lesson or if “free swim” was an option.

Bellamy recounted that when LaTaisha dropped King off, she told him not to go into the four-foot area because he did not know how to swim. A SwimRVA worker told her, “Well, he’s in the right place, don’t you worry,” according to Bellamy.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the lack of licensing for certain programs creates a regulatory gap. When a facility is not state-licensed, the standard safety benchmarks—such as staff-to-student ratios—may not be legally mandated, shifting the burden of safety verification entirely to the provider and the parents.

What are the safety regulations for swim camps in Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has initiated an investigation into the drowning. However, a VDOE spokesperson stated that SwimRVA is not a licensed program.

Because the program lacks this license, it is not required to follow state-mandated ratios or staff qualification standards for swimming instructors, according to the VDOE spokesperson.

What happens next in the investigation?

Henrico Police and Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor have both confirmed that the investigation into the death is ongoing. The VDOE’s investigation into the situation is also active.

Legal or regulatory changes could be a possible next step if the investigations find systemic failures. The family has established a GoFundMe to fund a service for King.

On Saturday, 600 RVA motorcyclists wore blue and strapped teddy bears to their bikes to honor King’s love for adventure and learning, according to reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the official cause of King Overton’s death?
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was accidental drowning.

Is SwimRVA required to follow state-mandated staff ratios?
No. According to a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Education, SwimRVA is not a licensed program and therefore does not have to follow those standards.

Who is currently investigating the incident?
The investigation is being conducted by Henrico Police, Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, and the Virginia Department of Education.

How should safety standards be managed for unlicensed swim programs?