MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Butler County Sheriff's Office will investigate potential safety violations at the Land of Illusion’s Aqua Adventures Water Park following a Tuesday incident in which a teenager died after disappearing under the water.
Sheriff Richard Jones said his office has been "inundated" with complaints since the death of 14-year-old Mykiara Jones, who spent 30 minutes underwater before lifeguards retrieved her on Tuesday night. She was hospitalized but died a few hours later.
Per the sheriff, who is not related to Mykiara Jones, the complaints include allegations that park lifeguards are not certified, life vest rules are not enforced and no rescue equipment is readily available.
"After this tragedy, the number of complaints has been staggering, and I feel it's important to obtain all relevant facts to ensure everything is being done according to regulations and safety guidelines," Sheriff Richard Jones said.
Jones said he plans to contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the attorney general's office for assistance during the investigation.
Eye witness Kristen Grossman, who was at Land of Illusion at the time of Mykiara Jones' apparent drowning, said the teen was in the area of the park's inflatable obstacle course when she went under.
"It was pretty crowded in that," Grossman said. "You know, all the inflatables had people bouncing on it and going on."
WCPO reached out to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees safety and fairs and amusement parks, for information about the water park's recent safety inspections and licensing. The department replied that it could not provide records of either because water rides are exempt under Ohio law.
Land of Illusion did contact the Department of Agriculture to inspect a handful of land-based rides, but the park did not have the documentation required for the department to license them to operate those rides.
Land of Illusion did not immediately respond to WCPO's request for comment on the allegations, but a statement appeared on the park's website following Mykiara Jones' death.
"We are fully supporting state and local officials as they investigate the incident," the company wrote. "We would like to thank first responders and all those who participated in the rescue effort. We ask that you join us in sending thoughts and prayers and our deepest condolences to our guest’s family and friends, as well as to the team members and guests who were onsite last evening during this tragedy."
