When Indiana siblings Sloan and Maddox Mattingly arrived at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach, they were eager to engage in the classic childhood pastime of playing and digging in the sand. However, what began as innocent fun quickly turned into a tragedy as the sand unexpectedly swallowed them, resulting in the loss of seven-year-old Sloan’s life and leaving her nine-year-old brother Maddox fighting for survival in the hospital.

The parents, Therese and Jason Mattingly, had embarked on a family vacation from their home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, seeking respite from the winter chill in the sunny beaches of Florida. On February 20, while enjoying their time at the beach, tragedy struck as the children played near their parents, unwittingly venturing into a large sand hole

The idyllic vacation took a devastating turn when bystanders heard screams and witnessed frantic attempts to dig through the sand hole. A distressed beachgoer promptly called 911, reporting the alarming situation of a child trapped in the sand. According to reports, the children’s father urgently sought assistance as the sand enveloped his daughter, Sloan, while his wife also cried out for help.

Emergency response teams swiftly arrived at the scene, employing support boards to prevent further sand collapse and utilizing shovels to excavate the trapped siblings from the perilous hole. Despite their efforts, Sloan succumbed to the ordeal, and Maddox was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

As of now, Maddox’s condition remains uncertain, and the Mattingly family, along with their loved ones, grapple with the unforeseen tragedy that has claimed the life of a cherished child and left another fighting for survival.

“A tragic incident occurred during our vacation, taking away our beloved 7.5-year-old daughter. Please refrain from offering condolences; instead, cherish the memories of our pure-hearted Sloan, who has forever changed us with her presence,” writes her mother on the GoFundMe page set up to support the family financially. “Our love for you knows no bounds, our sweet Sloan. We would give anything to have you back.”

The GoFundMe campaign, which has raised nearly $146,000 of its $150,000 target, states: “What started as a wonderful family trip turned into the heartbreaking loss of their 7-year-old daughter/sister Sloan. While no amount of money can bring Sloan back, your donation can help bring her home from Florida, cover funeral expenses, and alleviate financial burdens as they adjust to their new reality.”