Police say drowning death of boy 4, was a tragic accident

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A Hamilton family is grieving the loss of their 4-year-old boy who drowned in the backyard pool last night. Hamilton Police said they believe it was an accident and want to remind parents to keep a close eye on little ones.

“At this point it’s hard to say exactly how long he was in the pool,” said Detective Sergeant Steve Bereziuk. “It may have been upwards of an hour. As it’s believed, mom fell asleep for a short period of time and lost track of the child.”

Hamilton Police said the mother, who worked shift work in the health care system, was watching the 4-year-old inside the house when she dozed off. It’s believed that’s when the child made his way into the backyard and climbed into the above ground pool.

Police added that the father was working on home renovations in the front yard when the drowning took place. Neighbours said he was making a lot of noise.

“Pretty sure they were using a jack hammer out there,” a neighbour remembered. “It was pretty loud. And then there was a slight lull and it got quiet, then I heard a scream and another scream and I heard a splash.”

Neighbours said the mother preformed CPR on the boy until paramedics arrived. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Neighbours also claimed the couple were good parents who loved their son with all their hearts.

“All three of them were always together,” a neighbour said. “They’re always happy… That child was never left unattended.”

Police want to remind parents to keep a close eye on their children because tragedy can happen in seconds.

“Know where your family members are at all times so that tragedy like this can be avoided.”

Police want to stress that there is no suspicion of criminal activity.

Last year Hamilton City Councilors voted against adopting stricter by-laws about pool enclosures. It was proposed that four sided fences be installed surrounding new residential pools to help prevent tragic accidents like this one. The current by-laws require a fence around properties with backyard.