© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Child Drowns In Crawfordville Family Pool

From the Wakulla County Sheriffs Department:

A four-year-old Prentiss, MS female juvenile drowned in a Crawfordville swimming pool on Friday, July 11 at 4:38 p.m., according to Sheriff Charlie Creel.

The juvenile was visiting with Wakulla County relatives when a family member observed her motionless body in the deep end of the swimming pool at a residence on Spring Creek Highway.

Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene along with Wakulla Fire Rescue and Wakulla EMS. The emergency responders arrived at the home to see the guardians of the victim performing CPR on the child. Wakulla EMS and Fire Rescue loaded the child in an ambulance and transported her to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she was later declared deceased at 5:38 p.m.

WCSO investigators determined that a large family gathering was taking place at the home with a number of adults and juveniles. Members of the families were inside the home when one of the juveniles observed the victim in the pool. The victim was last seen at 4:25 p.m. inside the home. Investigators determined that the child may have slipped into the pool while reaching for an item floating in the water.

An autopsy of the juvenile was conducted on Saturday, July 12 and the Medical Examiner’s preliminary determination is consistent with accidental drowning.

Sheriff Creel said it is always difficult for law enforcement to investigate accidental deaths, but it is particularly difficult to investigate one when it involves the death of a young child. No criminal charges were filed. The case investigation remains open pending the final autopsy report.