A quiet Thursday morning in northwest Oklahoma City turned into a scene of horror when 18-month-old twins were pulled from their family's backyard pool, unresponsive and not breathing, according to officials and neighbors.
The toddlers, identified by relatives as Locklyn and Loreli, were found in the water behind their home in the Cobblestone neighborhood. Their mother, Jenny Callazzo, pulled them from the pool and started CPR before firefighters and EMS crews arrived and took over. The children were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Relatives told reporters that the twins' great-grandmother, who has Alzheimer's, may have left a back door open, allowing the toddlers to slip outside. Police said the deaths are under investigation but that foul play is not suspected.
How the scene unfolded
Local reports say the children were discovered at a home in the Cobblestone area near Council Boulevard and NW 122nd Street and taken to a nearby hospital, where efforts to save them were ultimately unsuccessful. Aerial video from local television, later described by national outlets, showed the backyard pool with a greenish tint and heavy algae. First responders continued life-saving efforts in the yard and at the scene, according to Newsweek. Fire and police officials told reporters they are working to determine how long the twins were in the water before they were found.
Family details and the role of Alzheimer's
Relatives and local coverage said the household included the twins' parents, six children in all, and an elderly relative living with Alzheimer's. Family members said that elder may have unknowingly left a rear door open, creating unguarded access to the backyard and pool, as reported by Opposing Views. Neighbors described a chaotic and grief-stricken scene as emergency crews tried to revive the toddlers and comfort family members gathered outside, according to KRMG. Authorities have not announced any criminal charges and say the investigation is ongoing.
Experts urge layers of protection
Child-safety specialists say the case is a stark reminder of how quickly a residential pool can become deadly for a toddler and stress that families should rely on more than a single safeguard. Laura Gamino, injury-prevention coordinator with OU Health, warned that "drowning is very sudden, and it's very silent," in comments reported by Newsweek. She and other safety advocates recommend installing secure fencing around pools and using door alarms or other barriers to prevent young children from reaching the water when adults are not watching. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and promotes fencing, supervised swim lessons and constant, close adult supervision whenever kids are near water.
Neighbors, vigil and fundraiser
Neighbors in the Cobblestone community gathered in the hours after the incident, some bringing flowers and prayers as word of the twins' deaths spread through the area. A GoFundMe organized by the children's godmother has raised money to help cover funeral costs and other expenses, according to the fundraiser description and local reporting. A candlelight vigil was scheduled at Route 66 Park Shelter so friends, neighbors and relatives could mourn together and remember the toddlers. Police have asked anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the drownings to contact investigators as the family grieves an almost unimaginable loss.
