Karina Kovac

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Jul 6, 2026, 11:57 AM

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Updated

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A 6-year-old girl is dead after an apparent drowning on the Fourth of July in Southampton, according to Southampton Town police.

Investigators say Kiara Paolasin, of Brooklyn, was at the beach with family early Saturday morning when she entered the water to retrieve a piece of footwear that was drifting away.

She then apparently slipped and was swept into Great Peconic Bay by the strong current flowing through Sebonac Creek.

A 16-year-old family member tried to rescue her but was unable because of the powerful current.

The family then alerted a nearby kayaker, who paddled to the girl and pulled her unresponsive body from the water.

Officers arrived at the scene around the same time and rushed to the shoreline as the kayaker brought the girl back to land.

Police immediately began CPR, and EMS personnel continued attempting to resuscitate the girl.

Kiara was transported to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.