3-year-old Fla. boy drowns in algae-covered pool

Paramedics began CPR and took the child to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead

November 28, 2016 09:38 AM

By Brian Ballou
Sun Sentinel

LAUDERHILL, Fla. — A 3-year-old boy who was under the care of his great-grandparents drowned Sunday afternoon in a backyard pool that was so filled with algae and debris that the bottom was not visible, police said.

Police were trying to retrace the child’s path and determine how much time had elapsed between his disappearance and when the great-grandparents realized he was no longer inside the house.

As authorities conducted their investigation Sunday evening, several family members cried out as they stood in front of the house at the corner of Northwest 38th and Northwest Fourth streets. The family members declined to comment.

Lauderhill Police Lt. Gregory Solowsky said a city police officer was working in the area on an unrelated manner and was flagged down by a frantic family member at 4:10 p.m. Sunday. The officer called on his radio for other officers to help in the search, Solowsky said.

The great-grandparents told authorities that the boy was accustomed to walking between the house and another residence on the same street that is “several doors down” and occupied by relatives. They also said the boy would occasionally play hide-and-seek.

But on Sunday afternoon, the boy apparently slipped outside undetected behind one of the great-grandparents, Solowsky said. The boy often stayed with his great-grandparents for extended amounts of time, and because of the holiday, had been with them since Thursday. The child’s parents were working when the incident occurred but were immediately notified.

After additional police arrived on the scene, officers noticed the pool, Solowsky said.

“We started to probe into the pool and a short time later found the three-year-old,” Solowsky said.

Police and paramedics began CPR and took the child to a Plantation General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The name of the child was withheld pending notification of additional family members.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the case. No charges have been filed.