Family finds 4-year-old boy unconscious in pool at rental property, Arizona cops say
A family found their 4-year-old boy unconscious in a swimming pool at a short-term rental in Arizona, rescuers said. He later died, officials said.
The family checked into the home Aug. 1 in Scottsdale, the city fire department said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Hours later, they discovered the boy in the pool at 7:28 p.m. and pulled him out, fire officials and police said.
He was “unconscious and not breathing,” so CPR was performed on him before rescuers got to the home, fire officials said.
Police said he was taken to a hospital but later died.
The family wasn’t from Scottsdale, and there was not a fence around the pool, according to authorities.
No charges were filed against the family, police said.
Police did not disclose the name of the short-term rental company.
How many people drown every year?
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Thirty children died from drowning in Arizona in 2022, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 1:41 PM with the headline "Family finds 4-year-old boy unconscious in pool at rental property, Arizona cops say."
