HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A child died after being found unresponsive in an apartment complex pool in northwest Harris County on July 4, authorities said. Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies on scene identified the child as 5 years old.
HCSO deputies were called to a life-in-danger situation at the Cortland Wortham Apartments in the 10225 block of Wortham Boulevard, near North Eldridge Parkway and FM 1960.
When deputies arrived, EMS crews were already performing CPR on the child. The child was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The child’s mother and aunt were at the hospital with him, investigators said.
Investigators said there were roughly 30 people at the pool around the time of the incident. A pool patron noticed the child in distress and alerted others, and people at the pool pulled the child from the water before first responders began treatment. Many people left before investigators arrived, but deputies said they have been identified and will be interviewed.
The child’s death was one of two drowning-related incidents Harris County authorities responded to over the Fourth of July holiday period, including a separate near-drowning in Humble that left another child hospitalized in serious condition, officials said.
Detectives are still working to determine when the child went underwater, how long he may have been submerged, and the circumstances leading up to the drowning. Investigators are also trying to obtain surveillance video from apartment management.
Authorities said the child’s mother and aunt were in another area of the pool and may not have been watching him at the time. Whether charges are appropriate remains under investigation; investigators said the case will be presented to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether any charges are filed.