Mother who lost son in 2006 working to save toddlers’ lives

Laura Castle, the founder of the drowning prevention coalition, is hoping to save toddlers’ lives.

“When we are trying to get out there and educate the community about child drowning we try to remember three key things: adult supervision, barriers, and classes,” Castle said.

Monday, paramedics rushed a 2-year-old girl to Sierra Providence in serious condition after she nearly drowned at the mobile home park at 6111 Sun Valley Drive.

This past Sunday, an 18-month-old boy nearly drowned at a home on the 2900 block of Camarena Place in East El Paso.

Castle lost her 4-year-old son back in 2006 to a pool drowning and said swim lessons as early as possible are a necessity.

“Had I put my child in these lessons at an early age,” Castle said. “I think 100-percent that he would be here with me still today.”

Other mothers who take part in the swim classes said they now have an ease of mind knowing their children are safe, despite adult supervision.

“He’s crawling at this point,” one mother said. “He can easily crawl through the backdoor and into the pool and fall in. So why not take classes at such a young age, so they can learn that skill and be safe.”

If you are interested in the swimming lessons, click here.