Three kids drowned in Louisville in the past week, according to police
Krista JohnsonJust days into the new summer season officially beginning, three Louisville families are mourning the deaths of little boys who drowned.
In five days, three children died in what police said appear to be accidental drownings.
On June 22, Graymoor-Devondale Police officers responded to a home on a report of a drowning. The department requested assistance from Louisville Metro Police's Homicide Unit, which is conducting a death investigation, LMPD spokesperson Aaron Ellis said.
The child was identified five days later by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office as 2-year-old Xander Lee. He was pronounced dead just after 9 p.m., with his death being ruled as an accidental drowning.
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The drowning occurred at the boy's home in an above-ground pool, Deputy Coroner Kimberly Smith said.
"There does not appear to be any foul play involved," Ellis said.
On Sunday, June 27, two other boys drowned in a swimming pool in southwest Louisville, according to police.
LMPD responded to the 5400 block of Rolling Ridge Road just after 6:30 p.m. on the report of a double drowning.
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Officers found the boys, both under 12 years old, and set up a hospital route to Norton's Children Hospital, according to police. Despite efforts by the officers and EMS workers, the children were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The two boys were cousins, according to LMPD.
"Following this morning’s autopsy, authorities do not believe this incident to be anything other than a heartbreaking and terrible accident," LMPD said.
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Drowning is the No. 2 leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, behind birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drowning happens in seconds and is often silent, and it can happen to anyone whenever there is access to water, according to the center's site.
Here are some tips for preventing drownings:
- Invest in swimming lessons for children
- Build fences that fully enclose pools
- Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool
- Designate a responsible adult to supervise closely and constantly when children are in or near water (including bathtubs).
- Wear a life jacket
- Learn CPR
- Know the risks of natural waters and check the forecast ahead of activities
Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.