Parents of 7-year-old who died in sand hole break their silence 

The fact that Sloan's parents were also concerned about the state of mind of bystanders who tried so hard to help tells you a lot about their humanity!!

The mom saying "Sorry" has to be the most heartbreaking thing ever to hear from someone who lost a child to a complete accident

Wow! I’m so glad the person who took that picture shared it with the parents. That’s crazy.

My dad has always warned us kids not to dig holes in the sand. He now says it over and over about my kids digging holes. They should place signs on all beaches not to dig or bury themselves. It's a scary world. Absolutely heartbreaking this happened 💔

I don’t wish this even on an enemy. Parents never get over their child’s death. Deepest and most sincerest condolences.

"Life is about Love, kisses, hugs, and songs" - Sloan Ill always remember that

These poor parents (and big brother). It’s unbelievably courageous of them to share their tragedy despite unspeakable grief in an effort to help others. 🙏🏼

i hope the brother doesn’t let the grief get to him. i’ve heard of sibling accidents happening and the other sibling thinking it should have been them in place of the other. love to all involved

If that was my child, I wouldn’t be able to sit still and talk about the tragic day without losing it. They are strong! Rip

The mom apologizing to the beachgoers who witnessed it absolutely broke my heart. Even in her anguish and agony of losing a child she’s still thinking of others. Her daughter would be so proud of her selfless and brave mom and dad. ❤

The actual beam of light that stranger saw is such a sign from her residual energy🥺I’m glad her parents had the courage to open up🫂🫂🫂❤️❤️❤️

I would never think of this as a risk, and think this family is doing a remarkably brave and important thing in sharing this with others. They are clearly wonderful and caring parents and my heart goes out them in the loss of their sweet girl.

I am SO SO SO heartbroken for this girl, I didn’t know about the danger of digging at the beach, these parents are so strong to put themselves out there to educate others. Thank you.

"Life is all about love; its about kisses, hugs, and songs". Rest in peace angel baby 🕊💗

Broke out in tears the moment the father smiled when he was asked how they want Sloane to be remembered. I can't imagine losing a family member much more a young daughter. Praying for healing for the family and all those affected.

Such good hearted people. Even through their grief, they manage to be so considerate of others.

My boyfriend lost his teen son in a drowning accident on the beach. A hide tide came out of nowhere and knocked him off the rocks/hill area and fell and hit his head on the rocks below and drowned. I can still hear my boyfriend’s cries and screams the day we found out. I know the road ahead is such a hard one for this family and my heart truly breaks for them. I’m sending all my love to them. ❤

I can't think of anything more devastating for parents. RIP little one

I was holding it together until I saw the picture that kind person posted. Such a beautiful way to think about what it symbolizes. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Mattingly Family and their loved ones. RIP Sweet Sloan. May we all live by your words of wisdom.🙏🫶

"Life is about love, kisses and huggins and music." Out of the mouth of babes. Condolences to the family.

3:50 “life is about love, and it’s about huggings and chances, and songs”, what a sweet little girl, omg

It's heart warming to see real people not pointing fingers to find someone to blame.

I’m so sorry for their loss. I’m glad they shared their story because I didn’t even know about the dangers of the sand. This is so heartbreaking.

Thank you for talking about this and I’m so so sorry about your loss. This is such a devastating tragedy.

I had no idea this was even possible! My child and I do this all the time and think the deeper the better. We are watching this in horror now and will never do it again! Our hearts are broken for this family. We thank you so much for sharing your story and informing other families.

Y'all have no idea how much strength it took to get up and talk about this. Prayers for peace.

I send prayers to this family. I’m a parent. This totally made me cry, I never even thought about this as a danger. Thank you for educating. May this little Angel, rest in peace.

OMG...I am so sorry, it's devastating for strangers... I just cannot believe how these precious parents are feeling! God Bless your Hearts and bring comfort.

I was buried alive at age 5. I am writing about this experience hoping the parents, or someone who knows them, will pass this on to them. I was buried (by a bulldozer) in a freshly dug sewer trench (think a dirt grave about 4 1/2 feet deep). My 6 year old brother and I had been jumping in and out of the trenches and the bulldozer operator saw him but not me. He was tall enough to get out on his own but I had to take two steps forward and grab his hand but I was frozen in panic. I am telling this because the parents probably worry about what their beloved daughter went through in those final moments and I know, because I lived it. As the load of dirt covered me it was dark and I was terrified and suffocating. But that part didn't seem to last long. Suddenly I was out of that trench and curled up safely in fetal position in a reddish black dimly lit area (I always think of return to the womb because I don't know how else to describe it). But 3 things stand out as if it happened yesterday. I was fully conscious but I didn't need to breathe. To this day (I'm about to turn 68) I sometimes resent having to breathe. It seems so unnecessary and such an effort! And I felt like I was surrounded as far as consciousness could reach by what I can only describe as the deepest, most unconditional love. And thirdly, I felt SAFER than I have ever felt in this life, either before or after that incident. I grew up on the Canadian Prairies so it's not like I've led a dangerous life, but that feeling of safety, that literally nothing could ever harm me, remains tangible. And this is what I want to share with Sloan's parent. She may have had that short moment of panic/suffocation like me, but very quickly her Soul would have left her body. As I type this all those years later, I get very emotional remembering that bliss of being free. While I was destined to stay on Earth (despite being buried 20 minutes or more) Sloan was destined to journey with the Angels. I actually suspect that she didn't even go through that ever-so-brief moment of fear. She was just whisked away to where she's safe and loved and some day all her loved ones on Earth will join her. I never worry about loved ones who cross over, my concern is with those of us left behind. My beloved husband/best friend crossed over some years ago so I have an understanding of the depth of loss and heartbreak her parents are experiencing, but I thought (hoped) sharing my experience might help them understand that from Sloan's perspective, it wasn't bad like they might imagine. I carry no trauma residue of the event with me. I remember it as the only time in my life I've experienced absolute bliss. My deepest condolences to Sloan's family. 🙏🏻

Never heard of sand holes, thank you for sharing this. Praying for Sloan’s family.

I am so sorry for you loss. Thank you for bringing awareness

These parents are so strong to be able to sit through this interview with composure. The empathy the mom had for bystanders that day broke my heart. I'm so sorry for their loss. May the little girl rest in eternal peace. ❤

I had no idea this could happen my kids constantly dig holes in the sand I thought the water was the danger, they really could have just saved my 11 and 7 year old daughters😢. I will NEVER let them dig at the beach again. Rest is sweet peace beautiful Sloan, thank you❤

I live on this beach right near the tragedy and it has affected all of us very deeply. Most of us are retired and have grandchildren. We have set up a Go fund me for thos family and are discussing having life guards now. We hold Sloan in our hearts forever .

So sorry for the loss of their beloved lovely daughter. Cannot help holding my tears when the mother told viewers of the incident...It was really so tough for the parents to go thru the tragedy. Hope they stay strong and blessed.

2am.... Im uncontrollably crying.. im so sorry for your profound pain and loss. RIP angel Sloan ❤❤❤

That poor baby girl and her brother… my heart breaks for them. She lost her life and he lost his best friend. Those parents lost a part of their souls. She was such a beautiful soul. God please cover and protect this family to trust your process and grant them some sense of peace and acceptance.

These parents sitting here and not falling apart is the truly strongest thing I’ve seen in quite awhile❤

i’m sorry for their loss. sloan is a beautiful sweet girl. thank you for teaching us this

Poor angel may she rest in peace 🙏🏻

I can't even begin to imagine the quiet and stillness in their home without Sloan. Her heart and energy remind me of my own bright and energetic 6yo girl who has a huge heart and loves to sing and dance from the moment she wakes

The parents seem like really lovely, gentle, and kind people. Lots of love to them.

I shared this with all my family & friends as they all go to the beach every weekend, I'm so sorry for your loss 😢 Thank you for sharing her story, I know it will save lives, God bless you 🙏❤️🙏

❤🙏🏻🙌🏻 that picture is so wonderful ty to the person who captured it ❤. God Bless this family 🙏🏻

So very sad. Large snow banks are also a danger when tunnels are built into them.

When the mom apologized to everyone involved who tried to save her... that broke me. I get all of the cut aways. She is able to make it through one sentence at this point and then the grief comes back. Your daughter was a blessing on Earth. The heavens get to experience her blessing now.

What a thoughtful and lovely couple, and a radiant little girl. I am so sorry for their loss. Just colossal.

So very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your grief and letting us know the dangers.

Love her beautiful little quote, "Life is all about love....and it's about kisses and huggin's and songs". What a precious little girl she was! May the light from her soul continue to shine down upon all those whose lives she touched. Rest Peacefully Among the Stars, sweet Sloan.

I'm literally a 32 year old man crying after work watching this! I can't imagine the pain of these parents and her brother! That poor poor baby girl. I literally have a 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter myself. My daughter has the same personality and is ironically a huge swifty herself... this hit different for me. I'm so so sorry for your loss. May your baby girl rest in peace and my deepest condolences are sent to you. 🙏 God Bless you all.

This is so heartbreaking. No option but to cry when they show that sweet little girl alive and well on video. My heart goes out to them 💔

I'm so sorry for your loss. This is so terribly heartbreaking for both of you. The parents and brother are in my thoughts and prayers.

From one parent who has lost a child to another, praying for these parents to find peace, purpose and to honor their precious girl in all they do 😔 ❤

I have never heard of dangerous sand holes. This tragedy will be informative for so many parents. My heartaches for this family. I can’t imagine their pain. RIP Sloan 👼

I'm so sorry for your loss! What a heartbreaking tragedy!

I'm am so sorry for your loss of this beautiful little girl. You are amazing to share your story to help others. God bless❤

My parents never allowed us to dig in the sand or bury each other for this very reason. And when I had my own kids I never let them do it either.

What a sweet little girl. RIP baby. My heart is with her parents.

This is so heartbreaking! Honestly this should be a law for all beaches that you are not allowed to dig deep holes. This is one of those super rare tragedies that don’t happen often and most people don’t even think it’s a thing anymore. I can’t imagine their pain. I’m so sorry😢

Poor baby girl, and I send my condolences. May your hearts find peace in this tragedy. Thank you for educating all in this hard memory. Bless your little angel and your hearts.

“ You don’t need to be sorry mom “ WE are sorry 😢💔🤦🏾‍♀️🙏🏾🙏🏾

Your daughter showed us your family values. It's all about love.... That's the strongest value. My hopes and prayers are that this value will carry you through your grief. Thank you to all the people who tried to help. Your actions showed Kindness and care. ❤

My heart is absolutely broken for this family. What a beautiful little girl. There are not enough ways to tell them that I am so sorry this happened to their little girl and the rest of her family. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Thank you for coming here,RIP baby girl

Prayers for this Family, She looked and sounded like an Angel. Life is about Love, Hugs & Kisses!

Such a sweet baby! "Life is all about love" her little voice is so cute! 😢❤

Prayers and Blessings to this Family 🙏 Such compassion during this tragedy.

Sloan returned to the light, that is so beautiful 😭 I appreciate this family sharing her story and teaching me about the dangers of digging on the beach. I pray peace surrounds them 🙏

I have never heard of sink holes in the sand. This story really brings awareness to others. So sorry for your tragic loss.

As a parent, you just know that tragedy happens every day and one can only be grateful for the moment we’re in. Sending so much blessing to this family.

This is heartbreaking 💔 May she rest on. Condolences to the family.

I am tearing watching this video ..... RIP little sweet angel. I know it took her parents a long time to heal this loss. Poor parents & big brother 😢

No one should have to go through that loss, but I keep thinking "6 foot deep hole" and wondering how it even got to that point.

People who go through tragedy like this and are strong enough to share to hopefully help someone else… that is huge.

We dug several holes in a beach once even up to the stomach of some of us sublings as well as tunnels to get to the next hole in Florida back in the early 90s. Its one of my most favorite memories. That could have easily been us. My parents would have been just as shocked and they were good parents. Its a miracle all 6 of us are still alive even under great parenting. What a tragedy 😢

So sorry for your loss. Sooper sad. She's a beautiful girl w a beautiful family.

I have a 7yo daughter and am so thankful to hear about this risk before our upcoming trip to the beach. My heart broke for the pain this family is going through. And to speak out to inform others, knowing that there will be those who rush to judge or ridicule, is so incredibly brave and giving. Thank you for warning us. I’m so so sorry for this absolute tragedy and your loss of an amazing child 😔

My heart cries for these parents. So sorry for your loss, it's truly heartbreaking. May God ease your pain.

💔 So heartbroken for this family-and what a kind family. You can tell they are trying to handle this in the best way they can without resorting to anger, blame, etc.

I couldn’t even begin to imagine! My heart breaks for this family! Sending so much love !!

These are strong parents. I’m so sorry for their loss. It’s not their fault. It’s not their fault. It’s. Not. Their. Fault.

Beaches can be very dangerous for families. Sun burns, dehydration, burns from the hot sand, being pulled out to sea, getting lost,drowning, jellyfish, sharks, sharp rocks, human predators, slippery surfaces and collapsing shores. Be prepared and teach your children about beach safety. Prayers for this family and praise for their endeavor to save others from this devastating tragedy. 🙏💕🙏💕

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your precious daughter. I'm thinking of your family and praying for you 🙏 ❤️

I’m so terribly sorry for the loss of your beautiful little girl. She looks like such a bright and a lovely human being. Sending so much love and strength to your family during this time❤

I am so heartbroken for this family, she seemed like a beautiful young lady and I can tell that she was raised under a roof of love and kindness. My condolences to the family.

I’m bawling watching this. These poor parents & son. This is unimaginable

My heart goes out to this family. Thank you for helping us spread awareness and my sincere prayers are with your family as you navigate each day

My heart is so heavy I’m sorry for your loss. This is a devastating loss I’m praying for your family

Live how he says, "Strangers, if you see something dangerous, take the courage and say something." Also, the beam of light on the area where she was, ...so good and comforting.

5:19 sweetness added to grief. Thanks to everyone who jumped in to help. May this family be comforted and sustained. 🙏🏽

Definitely Shared. God bless you for sharing your tragic story to help others.

My heart goes out to them and their son. I wouldn't have been able to compose myself as they did, and that picture shared at the end broke me. My hugs are sent to the Mattingly's

My heart goes out to this family. I remember digging holes at the beach with my sisters when I was a kid. My mom warned us about someone falling in and twisting an ankle, but none of us would have ever thought something like this could have happened. May your light continue to shine bright, Sloan!

This hurt my heart. I must admit, I was oblivious to the dangers of sand until I heard of this tragedy! God bless this sweet family! 🥺💕

OMG, this is heart breaking! 😢 I'm so sorry for your loss! Beautiful little angel!

I almost lost my two sons to a rip tide off the Florida coast. None of us were swimmers. And the tide carried them out while wading. I could never have saved them. Fortunately at this part of the beach there was a lifesaver on duty that I didn't even notice who saved them. My sons were terrified as was I. There were no signs at the time about riptides. We had just moved to Florida and afterwards I enrolled them in the swimming program at the YMCA and they advanced to the highest levels. Later as teens they took up scuba diving so they weren't scarred by the near drowning. To this day I will only wade in shallow water. Danger is everywhere. Nevertheless make sure your children are prepared and are not ruined by near death experiences. I feel so much pain for these parents. May God help this family recover.

A family that did everything to enjoy their time, for such a horribly and tragic accident. That ray of light from the sky is such a beautiful sign for the family. What a lovely and gracious family. I will keep them in my prayers. They are a humble family, during such a tragic time. God Bless them.

I was never allowed to dig deeper than my knees as a kid. I thought it was so beyond ridiculous, but now that im older, I understand. I'm so devastated for this family. I hope the parents remember that her last day was filled with smiles and laughs with sunshine kissing her skin.

I am so sorry for your loss, your daughter was precious, sending prayers and love to both of you and your son…😢

Thank you GMA for including the animation at 2:55 that explains so clearly how to prevent this. Sincere condolences to the family.