PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A 20-month-old girl who was found submerged in a backyard pool after her father discovered her unresponsive has died, police announced on Thursday.
The toddler passed away just after 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, while receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
The incident happened on May 19 at a home on Southwest Crumpacker Street, off SW Dreyfuss Boulevard. Police said the child was found in the pool by her father, who pulled her out before first responders arrived and began life-saving measures.
A toddler found submerged in a backyard pool by her father on May 19 at a Port St. Lucie home has died less than 24 hours later, investigators said. (WPEC)
The child was initially taken to Tradition Medical Center and later transferred to the children’s hospital for further treatment.
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Authorities have not released additional details about how the child got into the pool. The case remains an active investigation, police said.
In a statement, police expressed condolences to the child’s family, along with first responders and medical personnel involved in the case.
As summer approaches, the department is also reminding families about the importance of water safety. Police say drowning incidents can happen quickly and silently, urging constant supervision, secure pool barriers, alarms, and early swim lessons to help prevent tragedies.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death is ongoing.