Parents of 5-year-old Princeton, Indiana pool drowning victim sue city, foster parent

PRINCETON, Ind. — The parents of a 5-year-old girl who drowned in a city swimming pool in Princeton have sued the city, as well as a foster parent.

The suit filed on Friday in Gibson County Superior Court alleges negligence on the part of Princeton Aquatic Center and Chelsea Loesch, a foster parent of the child who drowned, Kimber Hibbs.

Kimber died Aug. 3 at Deaconess Gibson Hospital after an accidental drowning at the pool. The girl was in custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services and was taken by Loesch to a party at the pool.

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The lawsuit says Kimber had been removed from the care of her mother, Shantell Marie Woolard, on July 15. Woolard and Kimber's father, Thomas Hibbs, are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

It claims the City of Princeton failed to maintain reasonable surveillance of the pool during the party, identify that Kimber was drowning and act quickly enough to save her.

The lawsuit goes on to allege Loesch "failed to maintain reasonable supervision and care" of Kimber at the party.

Woolard and Hibbs, who are represented by attorneys Brandon Smith of New Albany, Indiana and Neil Chapman of Evansville, ask in the lawsuit for medical and hospital expenses, funeral and burial expenses and other financial relief.

Kimber "brought so much joy to people's lives," Hibbs told the Courier & Press in August.

Loesch declined to comment. The Courier & Press left messages Friday seeking comment from the Princeton city attorney.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Parents of Princeton pool drowning victim, 5, sue city, foster parent