The Ray family traveled from their home in Atlanta, Georgia, to Florida, for some fun in the sun in early March 2026. Sadly, the family’s vacation turned from joy to tragedy in seconds. Their 4-year-old autistic daughter, Kennedi, apparently went outside while her parents were sleeping and drowned in their Airbnb’s backyard pool. Her mother, Adeanah Francis, claims the vacation rental’s owner did not properly secure the home, which led to Kennedi’s death. Francis tearfully addressed the media alongside her attorney, demanding justice for her little girl.
Francis held a news conference at the home where her daughter drowned.
The mother and her attorney, Adam Finkel of The Haggard Law Firm, stood outside the vacation home on Northeast 202nd Street and 15th Avenue in Miami to hold a news conference, NBC Miami reported. Francis tearfully addressed the media, speaking about Kennedi.
“I lost my child,” she said. “I lost my 4-year-old. She only got four years here. We loved her so much. We miss her so much. I’m never gonna hear my child laugh again. I just wanna hug.”
NBC Miami reported that Kennedi died on the first day of the family’s vacation.
The family’s attorney claims the Airbnb owner did not follow Florida law.
The family wants the property removed from the Airbnb site and wants authorities to enforce Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, per NBC Miami. The statute requires residential pools to have at least one of these safety features: a minimum of a 4-foot barrier without gaps, safety cover, self-latching doors or gates, or exit alarms. This home allegedly did not follow these safety precautions.
Kennedi reportedly snuck out of the house as her family slept and drowned in the pool.
Francis’ attorney condemned the Airbnb owner during the news conference.
Finkel did not mince words about his frustration with the vacation home’s owner.
“How on earth can a house be advertised as family-friendly when it has a pool and none of the safety measures necessary, effectively in place,” the lawyer said, per NBC Miami. “No barriers, no fence, doors without alarms. We all know why those laws are in place, and they’re in place to prevent that tragedy that we are here to discuss.”
Airbnb released a statement obtained by CBS Miami. “The loss of a child is a tragedy and our hearts go out to the Ray family. Airbnb has supported recent bipartisan efforts in the Florida state legislature to strengthen safety standards for all homes with pools,” the statement reads.
According to CBS Miami, the home’s listing was removed from Airbnb. Finkel confirmed the family’s desire to move forward with litigation against the responsible parties.
Loved ones shared messages of support with Francis.
She posted a photo of Kennedi on Instagram on March 6 with a very simple caption that reads, “Lord, my chest.”
Followers, family, and friends offered words of encouragement in the post’s comments section.
“Sending you sooooo much strength,” one person wrote.
“I’m soooo sorryyyyy I am praying that god gives you all the strength you need to move forward in this thing we call life,” someone else added.
One person asked people to reserve judgment and give this mother some grace. “Yall please do not get up under this lady comments. Discussing what happened SAY A PRAYER FOR HER & Let The lord handle the rest. This is something Yall have to give to God . Let this lady breath,” the person commented.
We hope Francis gets justice and peace. Losing a child is a pain no mother should ever have to feel.
