PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A 20-month-old girl has died a day after being found submerged in a backyard swimming pool Tuesday night in Port St. Lucie, police said.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. Tuesday in the 3200 block of Southwest Crumpacker Street when a 19-year-old family member opened the rear sliding glass door to let the family dogs outside and may have accidentally left it slightly open. The toddler then left the house unnoticed and was later found submerged in a detached above-ground swimming pool in the backyard.
Police say the child's father discovered her in the pool and immediately alerted the child's mother, who began CPR. A neighbor across the street heard the mother's calls for help, contacted 911, and rushed over to assist the family until emergency crews arrived.
The child was taken by ambulance to Tradition Medical Center, where she was stabilized before being airlifted to Nemours Children's Hospital. The child died Wednesday evening, while receiving treatment at the hospital, police said.
Police are still investigating how long the child was in the pool before being discovered.
"The Port St. Lucie Police Department extends its thoughts and prayers to the child, her family, and everyone impacted by this tragic incident," police said in a statement. "PSLPD would also like to remind the community of the importance of constant supervision around water and ensuring all pools are properly secured to help prevent tragedies involving children."
