Boy Drowns In Backyard Pool

Sunday was a tragic day for an east El Paso family after the drowning death of their 4-year-old boy.

The child’s body was discovered face down in a swimming pool Sunday morning at a home in the 8400 block of Hopewell Drive.

El Paso police detectives continued their investigation into the circumstances leading up to the drowning Sunday afternoon.

The victims services unit was also at the house counseling the dead boy’s mother and grandfather, who were inside when the body was discovered.

The boy’s name has not been released.

Police said the boy was apparently watching television inside the home when his mother went to check on him.

It’s not clear how the 4-year-old ended up outside, but investigators said at about 10:30 a.m. he was discovered floating face down in the swimming pool.

Police have not said how long the boy had been in the pool or who discovered his body.

The child was rushed to a local hospital, but could not be saved, officials said.

A detective told ABC-7 he did not see any kind of fence or cover surrounding the pool.

“Bottom line is, this kid has died. Was it preventable? Maybe, but kids are kids and it’s nearly impossible to supervise them 24/7 and of course we encourage people to do everything to safeguard their home, child proof their home,” said El Paso police detective, Mike Baranyay.

According to the Center For Disease Control, parents should keep their pool fenced off.

If you live within city limits, there’s been an ordinance in place since 2008 requiring pool owners with children under 6 to put up some kind of barrier.

Also, learn CPR. The CDC said it can help a child stay alive with little to no brain damage.

Officials also advise parents to keep toys away from the pool so as not to tempt kids to jumping in unsupervised.

The most important rule of thumb, officials said keep an eye on your children.