A mom has opened up about her heartbreak after her son, 6, drowned in a shallow pool on the first day at a summer camp in New Jersey .
Police and prosecutors are continuing to investigate after the death of Michael Stewart on Monday. Michael's mom Enjoli told Fox5 : "Liberty Lakes messed up, big time. Now I don’t have a son anymore, like, that’s heartbreaking."
A spokesperson for Liberty Lakes said on Wednesday that the shallow pool where the incident happened was shut out of respect and as a tribute for the 6-year-old. However, the pool opened the previous day on Tuesday.
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Camp director Andy Pritikin told parents in a Zoom call on Tuesday night that Michael was in a group that included an adult leader, two teen counselors and three adult advocates for children with special needs, including one that was specifically assigned to Michael. Pritikin said the incident occurred in the shallow end of their 20-foot-wide pool, adding the pool has lifeguard ratios above the state standards.
He said: "It is clear and close sidelines if you are standing on the side of a 20-foot pool, you have amazing visibility.
"Michael was seen by a lifeguard and immediately pulled out of the water."
Pritikin said staff will now have to go in the water with children in the turtles and freshmen divisions, adding 10-minute buddy checks will be required. Michael was a first-grade student at Lumberton School District.
In a statement shared on Tuesday (June 25), the school said: "Earlier today, we learned that one of our students, Michael Stewart, a rising first grader, passed away unexpectedly and tragically yesterday.
"On June 24, 2024, Michael drowned while attending a summer camp. We extend our deepest condolences to the family as well as our education professionals who knew and worked with Michael.
"It’s important to note that we are in touch with the family. We are aware of community efforts that are being organized to support the family as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
"This Saturday at noon, there will be a lemonade stand fundraiser at the Old Fire House on Main Street to help the Stewart family. This loss will have a tremendous impact on our entire school community."
Two separate GoFundMe pages have been set up, one here and another one here . One states: "Michael came into this world a fighter from the day he was born. He was born as a Micropreemie at 23 weeks and doctors did not expect him to survive.
"Michael’s Mother refused to believe that and with every ounce of her strength, advocacy, and faith, fought for his life. Michael Jeffrey defied the odds and continued to grow into a very intelligent, loving , caring sweet boy.
"Michael Jeffrey had a love of learning, was a protector for his little sister Layla and Mom, had a fascination with large vocabulary words, and just had a pure heart of gold. Michael Jeffrey touched everyone’s lives that he came into contact with."
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Several fundraisers have also been organised, including one by Lumberton Township Police Lodge 201 and eatery Johnny Longhots.
Any orders placed this week where a mention of "Lumberton Strong" is made will see a portion go to the family. Donation jars can also be found in the restaurant.
Melanie Myles, manager at Johnny Longhots, said: "Everything that goes in this bin at the end of the night, we put in the back in a safe. It’s devastating, cannot imagine, I have a 6-year-old."
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