Tragic Loss: Florida Boy, 5, Drowns in Family Pool; State Introduces Free Swimming Lessons

Teach kids pool safetyPhoto byDea TycoronUnsplash

Disclaimer: This article was written for informational purposes only.

A small boy, who was hospitalized in Gainsville, Florida on April 17, 2024, after being discovered and rescued from a family pool, has died.

Officers responded and were told the child was in the house when he disappeared. The family couldn't find the five-year-old inside and a relative discovered him in the backyard pool.

They pulled the boy out and emergency personnel were called.

On scene, Sgt. Richard Tuck performed CPR and Officer Sean Price used an AED defibrillator. The Ocala police officers worked on Alexander "Abe" Everts until the arrival of other first responders.

"Abe" was autistic/non-verbal. He was transported to AdventHealth Ocala Hospital and subsequently transferred to Shands where he lost his fight.

The Ocala Police Department experienced a similar drowning investigation in December of 2023. Another autistic boy, also five, wandered from a hotel room. He was later found in the hotel swimming pool. Life-saving measures were taken but, unfortunately, he succumbed in the hospital.

Kids and Water Safety

"Florida loses more children under the age of 5 to drowning than any other state in the nation."

A new Florida law hopes to prevent these horrible tragedies. Eligible families may receive free swimming lessons for their young children. The governor has signed SB 544 to create the state's first swimming lesson voucher program for kids.

Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the legislation to cover lessons for families with children aged 4 and under who make "less than 200% of the federal poverty level."

Casey McGovern of Fort Lauderdale started the McGovern Foundation. She lost her 19-month-old daughter in an accidental pool drowning 15 years ago. Casey began pushing for water safety and kid-friendly swimming lessons with the international nonprofit organization, "Every Child a Swimmer."

The Spiritual Mission of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, a non-profit corporation, is to make Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS).

What Parents Can Do

Water Smart Florida makes these recommendations to start:

• WATCH Designate an adult water watcher when children are around or in the pool.
• USE BARRIERS Make your home pool safer with a 4-sided fence which includes alarms, gates, and locks.
• EDUCATE Teach children how to swim. Not every child is ready to swim at the same age so ask your family doctor.
• BE READY Learn CPR and get re-certified every 2 years. Keep a phone and safety equipment near the pool.

Learn more by visiting WaterSmartFL.com and PoolSafely.gov

swimming pool safetyPhoto byDaYsOonUnsplash

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Sources:
MSN | Ocala Star Banner
Florida Dept Children and Families
WUSF Health News Florida
Water Smart Florida