A 2-year-old child died Monday night after a drowning at a home in Maiden, according to local authorities. First responders rushed in and tried life-saving measures, but the toddler could not be revived. Detectives with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office have opened an investigation into what exactly happened.
Scene and Investigation
Deputies were sent to a residence on High Ridge Circle just after 9 p.m. on Monday, where they found the child unresponsive, as reported by WBTV. Local crews performed life-saving efforts at the scene, but the child was pronounced dead there, according to WBTV. Officials have not released the child’s name or any other identifying information.
Pool Reported at the Property
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate and is asking for any details that might clarify how the drowning occurred. WSOC reports that the home has an above-ground pool in the backyard, though officials have not said how or where the child entered the water. Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood and looking for witnesses or video that could help with the case.
A Troubling Local Pattern
This tragedy comes only months after another high-profile drowning in Catawba County, when a 7-year-old died at Bruce Meisner Park in April, highlighting ongoing water-safety risks in the area, as reported in Hickory park horror. In the wake of repeated incidents, county investigators have repeatedly urged residents to secure backyard pools and to share any camera footage that could aid detectives.
Safety Steps Experts Recommend
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death for young children, and public-health experts stress using multiple layers of protection, not just swim skills. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises measures such as four-sided fencing that fully separates pools from the home, constant close adult supervision around water, properly fitting life jackets where appropriate and learning CPR. The agency also notes that swim lessons are helpful but do not replace active adult supervision.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends removing toys from in and around pools so they do not lure children toward the water and using pool or door alarms to prevent unsupervised access.
How to Help or Get Information
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information or video from the area to contact its Criminal Investigations Division; contact details are listed on the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office website. Initial reporting on the incident is available from local outlets including WCCB Charlotte.
