Family Mourns Toddlers' Drowning

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The Rafael Arias family finds itself surrounded by family as they cope with the loss of their youngest daughters, who drowned on Saturday.

Veronica Arias Ysabel, 2, and Gloria Arias Ysabel, 18 months, died at local hospitals after being found in the family swimming pool by their father.

"How, this is what we are trying to find out," said Arias, fighting back tears, trying to explain how difficult it is to move on without Veronica and Gloria.

The family had just closed on the home on Niska Trail on the Westside last Thursday and moved in on Friday.

Arias says he had hoped to have a fence installed around the pool before they moved in, but that did not happen. He said the plan was to do it this week.

The father says the doors to swimming pool were locked Saturday morning, but he believes Veronica opened the door leading to the pool.

"Once I started performing CPR on Veronica, Veronica reacted but Gloria did not," said Arias, recalling the moments after he dived into the pool for his youngest daughters.

"I started calling for help. At that point our lives changed. At that point everything changed," he said.

Arias, a disabled Army veteran, was proud of the home the family purchased, since it was the first home they had ever owned.

"We don't know how we're going to live at this point," said the grieving father, who says it will be difficult for the family to remain in the home.

The Arias family has set up an account for donations with Vystar Credit Union. If you are interested in donating, it is account #0702784317.

Funderal arrangements are underway.

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