A 22-month-old boy died after falling into his family's backyard swimming pool in Dunnellon on Saturday afternoon, a sudden accident that relatives and deputies say unfolded in a matter of minutes. The toddler's father pulled him from the water and immediately began CPR before first responders arrived. The child was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, and investigators have opened an active probe into what happened.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, Marion County deputies were called around 1:18 p.m. to a home on Northwest 18th Place in Dunnellon after relatives found the boy unresponsive in the pool. Marion County Fire Rescue crews and law enforcement continued lifesaving efforts and took the child to AdventHealth, where he was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m., about 52 minutes after the initial 911 call, the outlet reports.
The sheriff's incident report, as described by WKMG ClickOrlando, states that family members had been outside feeding animals when the toddler briefly wandered away. He was later found in the pool. An uncle told investigators he did not realize the child was missing until he saw the boy's father pulling him from the water, according to the report.
How Quickly A Backyard Pool Can Turn Deadly
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4 in the United States, and most fatal incidents in that age group happen in residential pools, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health experts stress multiple layers of protection - four-sided fencing with self-closing gates, constant and active adult supervision, pool alarms, swim lessons for older toddlers, and CPR training for caregivers - because a small child can slip under the surface in seconds without a sound.
Family Turns To Community For Help
The boy's relatives have launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs. The campaign organizer identifies the child as Arturo Martinez and explains the family's financial need. The fundraiser had collected more than $1,600 toward a $3,500 goal at the time of publication.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation and has not announced any criminal charges, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Deputies have not released additional details and are asking anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office, the station reports.
