6-year-old NYC girl drowns at Southampton beach

Kiara Paolasin, 6, was with her family at the time

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Monday, July 6, 2026 7:26PM
Girl dies after being pulled into current in Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. -- A 6-year-old Brooklyn girl was killed when she was swept into the current at a beach in Southampton on Long Island, New York over the holiday weekend.

It happened on Saturday around 8 a.m.

Kiara Paolasin, 6, was with her family when she went to get a stray sandal that floated into the water.

She was pulled into the current in the Sebonac Creek leading in the Great Peconic Bay, police said.

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Despite the efforts of a 16-year-old family member, they could not reach her due to the current.

Family members alerted a nearby kayaker who pulled her from the water unresponsive.

The kayaker was reportedly bringing her body to the shore as emergency services arrived.

Despite best efforts, she could not be saved.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner's office along with the Southampton Town Police Department Detective Division are investigating.

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