LAKE TAPPS, Wash. – The family of 10-year-old Jasmine Preng is speaking out to correct public misinformation following her heartbreaking death after a drowning incident at Lake Tapps. Amid their grief, Jasmine’s parents have set the record straight about the circumstances of the August 16 trip. Her father, Preng Nuth, clarified that Jasmine went to the lake with a co-worker and friend of her mother, contrary to earlier media reports stating she was accompanied by her grandmother. The correction comes as the family tries to navigate the immense emotional weight of losing a child while also ensuring that the story told in public reflects what actually happened that day. For the Preng family, the distinction matters. Jasmine’s mother and father have been thrust into a spotlight no parent could possibly prepare for, and in those painful moments, they have chosen to speak honestly about how their daughter’s final trip was arranged. The desire to correct misinformation is not about assigning blame or defending anyone. It is about preserving the truth for Jasmine, whose memory they are now fighting to protect. As condolences pour in from across the community, the family has received an outpouring of sympathy, but they have also heard stories that are not accurate. Those inaccuracies, while likely unintentional, can add a layer of confusion to an already unbearable tragedy. The Preng family is now asking the public to understand that their daughter was with someone she and her mother trusted, and that the focus should remain on the life Jasmine lived, not the inaccurate details circulating online.
The timeline of the tragedy is devastating in its clarity. On August 16, Jasmine was at Lake Tapps, a popular recreational destination in Pierce County. Later that day, Jasmine’s mother received a phone call that no parent should ever have to answer: her daughter had drowned. First responders rushed to the scene and immediately began life-saving measures before the 10-year-old was transported to a hospital. There, medical staff placed Jasmine on a ventilator, hoping to stabilize her and give her body time to recover. She remained in the hospital as her family kept a constant vigil, desperately waiting for any sign of hope. But on Wednesday, doctors delivered the news that shattered everything: Jasmine was brain dead. Her body was still being kept alive by machines, but the vibrant, intelligent little girl who had dreamed of becoming a doctor was no longer there. On Friday, Jasmine died. Her father shared these details in an emotional conversation with FOX 13 Seattle’s Shirah Matsuzawa, who spoke with Jasmine’s parents and her sister. The sequence of events is precise, but nothing about it feels orderly to the family. They have described the chaos of that afternoon, the sirens, the frantic drive to the hospital, and the long days spent staring at monitors and waiting for answers that never came. The hospital became a second home, but it was a home filled with dread rather than comfort.
Now, Jasmine’s loved ones are doing everything they can to preserve her memory. The 10-year-old was preparing to enter fifth grade and had already packed her backpack for the upcoming school year. That small, ordinary detail has become a powerful symbol of all the promise that was lost. Jasmine was a bright and intelligent student who loved school and approached her studies with enthusiasm. Her family described her as a curious and creative girl with a warm spirit that drew people to her. When she was not in class or doing homework, she loved to draw. Her artwork, now scattered throughout her home, has become a cherished memory for her grieving parents. Each drawing serves as a reminder of a child who saw the world with imagination and hope. Jasmine aspired to become a doctor, a dream that seemed entirely possible because of her determination, her kindness, and her desire to help others. Her parents are surrounded by reminders of that dream every day: the pictures on the refrigerator, the notebooks filled with sketches, the school supplies she had carefully organized for the year ahead. The loss has made it nearly impossible for them to return to daily routines or work. Every familiar sight in the family home is now a reminder of what has been taken away. Jasmine’s sister, too, is struggling to cope with the sudden absence of a sibling who brought laughter and light into their lives.
As the family copes with this unimaginable loss, they are also navigating unexpected financial hardships. The medical emergency that followed Jasmine’s drowning involved an ambulance, hospital stays, intensive care, ventilators, and countless specialists. Those bills have piled up in the midst of their grief, adding financial stress to an already overwhelming situation. Now, they must also face the costs of funeral and burial arrangements. In an effort to ease that burden, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with Jasmine’s medical bills and funeral expenses. The campaign has become a focal point for community members who want to express their condolences in a meaningful way. Friends, neighbors, classmates’ parents, and even complete strangers have come together to support the family, donating whatever they can and sharing the campaign across social media. The family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, even as they remain overwhelmed by the tragedy that made it necessary. The fundraiser is more than just a way to cover costs. It is an opportunity for the community to stand beside a family in freefall, to show that Jasmine mattered, and to help ensure that her parents do not have to face the financial aftermath of this heartbreak alone. Every donation, no matter the size, sends a message of compassion and solidarity.
Jasmine’s death has also cast a shadow over Lake Tapps, a place that many families associate with summer fun and happy memories. The reservoir, with its clear water and scenic surroundings, is a popular destination for swimming, boating, and picnicking. But it has also been the site of previous tragedies, and the drowning of a young child is a painful reminder of how quickly water can turn deadly. Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related death among children across the country, and incidents often spike during the warm-weather months. In the wake of Jasmine’s death, residents have taken to social media to express their condolences and share reminders about water safety. Some have urged parents to ensure that children wear life jackets when boating, to supervise them constantly near the water, and to learn CPR. Others have simply expressed shock and sadness that such a young life was cut short in a place that should have been safe. While the family has clarified that Jasmine was not with her grandmother, they have not publicly detailed every aspect of the incident, and authorities have not released additional information about how the drowning occurred. The investigation remains under review, but for the family, the broader conversations about water safety are secondary. They are not looking for lessons or explanations right now. They are simply mourning a child whose future was stolen in a single afternoon.
Moving forward, the family is trying to find a way to live with a loss that defies comprehension. They have asked for privacy as they process their grief, but they have also opened up enough to provide an accurate account of what happened, ensuring that their daughter is remembered for who she was rather than for the confusing details that often follow a tragedy. Jasmine Preng was a 10-year-old girl with a backpack full of school supplies, a head full of dreams, and an artistic talent that her family will treasure forever. Her life, though tragically short, touched everyone who knew her. The community’s response, from the messages of sympathy to the donations to the shared grief, is a testament to the impact she had during her time here. Those who wish to support the family can contribute to the GoFundMe campaign that has been established to cover medical and funeral expenses. The campaign has been shared widely, and the family has expressed appreciation for every act of kindness. Information for this story came from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle’s Shirah Matsuzawa, who spoke with the family of Jasmine Preng, including her father, mother, and sister. As summer comes to an end and other children prepare to return to school, Jasmine’s empty seat in her fifth-grade classroom will be felt by her classmates, her teachers, and above all, her family. There are no words that can repair what has been broken, but there is hope that in the days ahead, the family can find some peace in the outpouring of love from a community that mourns with them.
