A 4-year-old girl tragically drowned in a Michigan pool after being left out with other children on January 30. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Deer Lake Athletic Club around 7:30 p.m. on a report of a possible drowning, and investigators soon uncovered the heartbreaking circumstances that led to the child’s death.
What happened:
According to the Sheriff’s Office, two women brought their six children, ages 4 to 12, to the club’s pool. After donning some flotation devices in the water, the women left the children unattended and went to the bar/restaurant area of the club. They spent about 35 minutes there while children were left alone in the pool, despite posted signs warning that there were no lifeguards on duty and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
While there were other children present, the youngest child—just 4 years old—was left without the necessary adult supervision. At some point, the girl was pulled out of the pool by her elder sister, but it was too late. She was found unconscious on the pool deck, where bystanders immediately administered CPR before paramedics arrived.
Rescue and consequences:
Deputies arrived at the scene and found a 4-year-old child being given CPR by two adult men and a woman. Emergency efforts continued until Independence Township Fire Department paramedics took over and transported him to a local hospital. The sad thing is that he was declared dead shortly after arrival.
There were several pool toys and noodles in the pool area, but no life preservers were found. The depth of the pool ranged from three to five feet, raising questions about safety precautions during the unsupervised period.
Club response and investigation:
Deer Lake Athletic Club expressed its grief in a social media post, saying emergency services were contacted immediately and staff followed safety protocols. The club also stressed their cooperation with local authorities during the investigation. “The safety and well-being of our members, guests and staff is our top priority,” the statement said, urging the community to keep the family in their prayers and respect their privacy.
Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard condemned the incident as “a horrific and tragic death that could have been easily avoided.” They highlighted the critical need for dedicated adult supervision at all times during children’s swimming activities, and pointed out that such incidents can occur even when adults are present but not actively supervising.
looking ahead:
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is under review and will be referred to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for further action. This tragedy is a reminder of the importance of continued and active supervision, especially around water, to prevent similar incidents in the future.