A 16-year-old girl died after falling through the roof of an abandoned building in Indian River County, Florida, on August 8. The Indian River County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident occurred while the teenager, identified as Roylynn Scott, was exploring the derelict condo with friends.
Deputies responded to the scene and found a group of juveniles and the critically injured teen on the second floor of the four-story building. The investigation indicated that the group had been trespassing on the property and were on the roof when Scott fell through a hole. She dropped approximately 29 feet to the floor below. Her friends immediately called 911, and one individual performed CPR.
Dispatch audio captured a male voice stating there was a hole in the condo and the teen fell about three stories, while another friend screamed for her to wake up. Scott was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The sheriff's office is actively investigating the incident but stated that all evidence currently suggests it was an accident. They extended their sympathies to Scott's family and cautioned the public, particularly parents and teenagers, about the dangers of exploring abandoned structures and the legal ramifications of trespassing. The building in question had 'No Trespassing' signs and had been abandoned since at least 2007.
Scott's grandmother, Carole Melasi, described her as a beloved and loyal friend with a big personality. While acknowledging that her granddaughter should not have been trespassing, Melasi called for officials to address the issue of abandoned buildings. "We know what she did. We know that they shouldn't have been trespassing. We know that. But the buildings shouldn't be there," Melasi said.
The family has initiated a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses and to make a charitable donation in Scott's honor, which has raised over $5,000. The Indian River County School District also issued a statement expressing condolences and announced a moment of silence would be observed at the upcoming football game in remembrance of Scott, a Vero Beach High School student. The incident occurred just two days before the start of the school year.