Haircuts Help Family Of Indio Toddler Who Drowned

A hair cut-a-thon raised money for the family of a 2-year-old who drowned earlier this month in Indio.

The International Beauty School, 81695 Highway 111 in Indio, held the event Sunday, with both instructors and students offering haircuts.

Tickets cost $10, but organizers say many came just to donate.

“It feels really good. I didn’t expect this. This is what a family is,” said Guadeloupe Simental, an instructor for the school.

According to Simental, the group had raised more than $2,000 as of Sunday afternoon. The money will go the Sanchez’s memorial and other family costs, said Simental.

The 2-year-old girl died during a Mother’s Day gathering when she fell into a swimming pool at a home in the 45000 block of Palm Meadows Drive.

Indio police Cmdr. Ben Guitron said the department was considering recommending charges of child neglect and/or endangerment against at least one of the toddler’s guardians.

Sanchez’s mother and brother both go to the International School of Beauty. The mother did not attend the event. The brother declined to comment.

According to Simental, the family will hold a memorial for Sanchez on Monday.