Mother Who Lost Child Warns Of Drowning Danger

By ABC-7 Anchor/Reporter Celina Avilia

EL PASO, Texas – Thirteen children have drowned in El Paso County in the past five years.So far this year,that number is zero.

Local officials want to keep it that way with a straight to the point message to parents: “Hope floats but your child won’t!”

Unfortunately, Laura Castle’s son Christian was one of those thirteen children. She says she’s happy County and City officials are helping spread awareness that these tragic deaths are preventable!

“Before my son drowned in 2006, I had heard nothing of drowning prevention or water safety,” she said.

Castle’s 4 -year-old son Christian drowned two years ago. He was with family friends at the time, surrounded by adults and even life-guards.

“The myth that you would hear splashing or yelling or a cry for help. When children drown they drown in silence,” she said.

Since then Castle has made it her mission to help spread awareness and safety procedures.

She said she’s glad that city and county officials are also helping with a new campaign: “Hope floats but your child won’t”

It takes a few seconds before a life is lost and then they have to suffer for a whole lifetime with something that could’ve been prevented very easily,” saidEl Paso County Sheriff, Jimmy Apodaca.

“This can happen to the most vigilant of people, 80 percent of drowning happen around one or both parents at the time of the drowning. The children are usually gone in less than 5 minutes,” he said.

Castlealso saidparents should have a designated water watcher, don’t depend on floating devices and take C-P-R classes.

“One child lost is way too many, they’re our future. We do it all for the love of our son.’

For more information you can contact the Thomason Health Foundation under the Christian Castle Fund.