Autopsy conducted on 7-year-old girl found in Coachella Canal
An autopsy was conducted Monday for 7-year-old Annie Lee Palmer, whose body was found in the Coachella Canal in Mecca last week after she reportedly fell into the water Tuesday evening in Niland.
The Imperial County Coroner’s Office said the official cause of death is drowning. Authorities expect to release Annie’s body to her family, of Columbus, Ohio, within the week.
A family member called police Tuesday night when Annie didn’t resurface from the canal, according to Sgt. Duran with the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department.
Her body was discovered in the canal near Parkside Drive and Desert Aire Drive in Mecca around 10 a.m. Thursday by an employee with the Coachella Valley Water District. She had fallen into the canal about 10 to 15 miles south of where her body was spotted, Sgt. Duran said.
Authorities worked most of Thursday to retrieve her body.
Annie’s family members in Ohio said the little girl was set to start third grade and she was in California to spend the summer with her grandmother.
Sgt. Duran told KESQ and CBS Local 2 that one of the girl’s family members has been arrested in connection to her death.
Niland resident Heinrich Paul Boykins, 56, was arrested on charges of manslaughter and child neglect. Boykins is married to Annie’s grandmother.
Boykins was in court on Monday, August 10, and he pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter, child abuse, and two counts of driving under the influence.
Palmer’s father in Ohio said he’s now preparing himself to say goodbye to his daughter.
“I don’t know what to do with myself,” said Freddie Palmer. “I [have to] bury my daughter? That’s sad. That’s pitiful.”
Canals are off limits to swimmers. Officials said if you want to fish, you can do so at Lake Cahuilla, and there are plenty of safe swimming destinations around the Coachella Valley, some of which include:
Bagdouma Pool – 51-723 Douma Street in Coachella
Mecca Community Center Pool – 65-250 Coahuilla Street in Mecca
Pawley Pool Family Aquatic Complex – 46-350 South Jackson Street in Indio
Palm Springs Swim Center – 405 S Pavilion Way, Palm Springs 92262
Palm Desert Aquatic Center – 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive, Palm Desert 92260
John H. Furbee Aquatics Center, 11750 Cholla Drive, Desert Hot Springs 92240
The Desert Recreation District operates pools in Indio, Coachella and Mecca. For more information about swimming pools and lessons, check out MyRecreationDistrict.com or call (760) 347-3484.
News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will continue to track the developments as the case moves forward in court.
