Homosassa Toddler Drowns in Lake

A Homosassa toddler drowned Sunday morning while he and his family were visiting friends in Dunnellon, according to deputies.

The parents of the 19-month-old boy were visiting friends and staying in a trailer located on the property.

According to deputies, the family was sleeping in the living room when the father awoke the mother around 9:15 a.m. asking where the child was. The parents began searching for the missing child.

The father eventually found the boy lying unresponsive in the lake behind the property.

The father began performing CPR on the boy on the dock. Rescue crews arrived at the scene and took over the CPR efforts and the boy was taken to Seven Rivers Hospital.

The boy was pronounced dead about two hours after his parents called for help.

The autopsy results are pending, but authorities do not suspect any foul play.

In the state of Florida, children are placed at a high risk for drowning-related injuries and death due to the various lakes, canals, ponds, rivers and other bodies of water that are present in virtually every Florida community. Approximately half of all drowning incidents occur at lakes, rivers and even oceans because these bodies of water, as well as the surrounding areas, are less controlled. If you or a family member has been harmed in a lake drowning or near-drowning accident, a Citrus County Drowning Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can explore what happened and help you take appropriate legal action.

Perhaps the most important thing that can be done to prevent a drowning tragedy is to designate a responsible adult to supervise children in the water and all children playing near water. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye so it is very important for the adult in charge to stay alert and avoid partaking in any other activities while watching children swim. Factors that contribute to drowning accidents often include swimming in natural water settings like rivers, lakes or oceans, lack of supervision and insufficient barriers such as pool fencing. Moreover, alcohol use is a leading cause of unintentional drowning in both adolescents and adults.

After an injury or drowning death at a lake, ocean, river or swimming pool, it is important to not let too much time pass before contacting an injury lawyer. A Citrus County Drowning Accident Attorney can pursue the justice you deserve while making sure you have the space and time needed to mourn your loss and recover. For a free consultation, please call us today at 352-726-0078 or contact us online to start exploring your legal options.