Three Year Old Drowns In Pond

OKEECHOBEE, FL. -- A child died in an Okeechobee pond Tuesday afternoon while the child's mother was preparing it for a bath.

At approximately 3:29 p.m Tuesday., the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in the NW 46th Avenue Villas in northwest Okeechobee, in reference to a drowning.

The mother was preparing a bath for the three year old child. He was told to go in the bathroom and get ready for his bath. The mother returned to the bathroom minutes later and discovered the child was not there. Family members began looking for the child and he was found in a retention pond approximately 212’ from the residence.

Upon arrival Deputy Sheriff Hazy began CPR until EMS arrived. The child was then transported to HCA Raulerson Hospital, where he later died.

The exact cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office. No further information to be released at this time said Michele Bell, public information officer for the Sheriff.