State finds SwimRVA should have been licensed before 9-year-old King Overton drowned
SwimRVA was required to obtain a license to operate a "child day program" from the Virginia Department of Education’s Superintendent but it did not, according to an email from a VDOE spokesperson.
That means SwimRVA was operating an unlicensed child day program when nine-year-old King Overton drowned at a swim camp at its North location in June.
A “child day program” is a regularly operating service arrangement for children where, during the absence of a parent or guardian, a person or organization has agreed to assume responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of a child under the age of 13 for less than a 24-hour period.
“Following a thorough investigation, the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Child Care Health and Safety determined that SwimRVA has been operating an unlicensed child day program that does not meet an exemption to licensure outlined in the Code of Virginia section § 22.1-289.030. The VDOE issued a formal notice of findings to SwimRVA, directing them to submit a plan of compliance by July 27, and requiring them to achieve full compliance or cease operations by August 14, 2026,” a VDOE spokesperson said in an email.
SwimRVA disagrees with the finding.
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