STUART – A toddler was pronounced dead at Cleveland Clinic South in Stuart on Sept. 29 after family members found the child floating in a pond on the family’s property, according to a Martin County Sheriff’s Office Facebook posting.
The 23-month-old child was outside in the yard along Darling Street with family members after about 5 p.m., when he slipped out of sight for a short time, according to the Facebook posting.
When the child’s mother and aunt realized he was missing, they searched for him, ultimately finding him in a pond on the property, according to the Facebook posting.
The family rushed the child to the hospital, less than a mile from the home, but despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead in the emergency room.
Family members told investigators the child was out of sight for no more than 10 minutes, according to the Facebook posting.
The Sheriff’s Office criminal investigators interviewed everyone at the scene and are reviewing the circumstances.
Authorities urge family members to be especially cautious when supervising toddlers or infants or anyone who has not yet learned how to swim. Tragedies such as this could be prevented with constant supervision, properly secured pools, alarms, self-latching gates, and early swim lessons, officials say.