Child Drowning in Neighbor’s Swimming Pool in East Bakersfield
Boy Entered Backyard Through Broken Fence
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 16, 2024) — A 5-year-old Bakersfield boy is dead after entering a neighbor’s backyard through a broken fence and drowning in their swimming pool.
The drowning occurred on Saturday, July 13th in the 3200 block of Montello Street in east Bakersfield, according to Bakersfield Now. Paramedics responded to the scene around 10:17 p.m. and rushed the boy to Kern Medical where he later died.
The child’s mother, Janet Fuentes, discovered the boy was missing and knocked on her neighbor’s doors, but the homeowner next door told them they had checked their backyard and he wasn’t there.
The family later discovered 5-year-old J Luca Macias had drowned in that neighbor’s swimming pool. The mother told news reporters the child was living with autism and had limited verbal skills.
A GoFundMe account is raising funds to cover the child’s funeral services.
Children Drowning in Swimming Pools
Drownings are common in the summer months and children are most at risk. At the start of summer this year in May, 2-year-old Noah Modiba of Bakersfield died at the hospital after he was found unresponsive in a Bakersfield swimming pool on Waterford Street.
Over in Fresno, two sisters Mia Gonzalez Saltos, 14, and Hannah Gonzalez Saltos, 13, drowned in a swimming pool. The older sister died on July 3rd and the younger sister died five days later at the hospital on July 8th.
Drowning is mostly preventable, however, it remains the number one cause of death for children ages one through 4 years old, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Older children are also at risk even if they can’t swim. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14 years old.
Every day there are 11 drowning deaths each day in the United States and 22 non-fatal drownings resulting in injuries such as brain damage and other disabilities, the CDC reports.
Remember, water safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone should play their part in preventing accidents and promoting a safe environment. However, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, a dangerous condition such as a unsecured swimming pool, or a boating accident, contact Attorney James Johnson at 1-800-235-6801 to discuss your potential claim.
