By Associated Press - Wednesday, September 16, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Sacramento County has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the father of a 3-year-old drowning victim.

The Sacramento Bee reports (https://bit.ly/1QhkmwZ ) the suit, settled in August, was filed by the father of Airabella Mello, who drowned in a backyard pool in May 2014.

Airabella had lived with her mother and grandmother in Arden Arcade. A year before her death, there were numerous reports from family and friends warning Child Protective Services that the girl was being abused. In one report, a person said Airabella was often left unsupervised at her home’s swimming pool.



The lawsuit was brought in November, alleging that CPS’ failure to act was a violation of civil rights.

The settlement agreement says the payment is not an admission of liability.

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Information from: The Sacramento Bee, https://www.sacbee.com

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