1-Year-Old Dies in Drowning at Davie Home; Investigation Ongoing

Authorities are investigating a tragic drowning that claimed the life of a 1-year-old child at a home in Davie earlier this week.

According to Davie Police, officers responded Monday to a residence in the 4200 block of Southwest 74th Avenue after receiving a report involving a young child.

When first responders arrived:

• A 1-year-old child was found unresponsive at the home
• The child was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment
• Despite lifesaving efforts, the child was pronounced deceased

Police confirmed Tuesday that the child died following the drowning.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation, and no additional details have been released.

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for young children in Florida, particularly in residential environments.

Common locations for residential drownings include:

• Backyard swimming pools
• Hot tubs or spas
• Bathtubs
• Decorative ponds or water features
• Unsecured bodies of water near the home

Young children can drown in just minutes and often without any noise or obvious signs of distress.

Florida Pool Safety Laws and Homeowner Responsibilities

Florida law requires certain safety measures to protect young children from residential pool drownings.

Under Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Chapter 515, Florida Statutes), homes with swimming pools must have at least one approved safety feature, such as:

• A pool barrier or fence at least four feet high
• Self-closing and self-latching gates
• Door and window alarms
• A pool safety cover
• Exit alarms on doors leading to the pool area

Failure to comply with safety requirements may create potential liability if a child gains access to a pool and is injured or killed.

Property owners, landlords, and others responsible for maintaining a safe environment may be held accountable when:

• Required pool barriers or safety devices are missing or defective
• A dangerous condition exists on the property
• A child gains access to an unsecured or improperly maintained pool
• Negligent supervision or maintenance contributed to the incident

Legal Options After a Fatal Drowning in Florida

When a child dies in a drowning incident, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim if negligence contributed to the tragedy.

Potential claims may involve:

• Property owners or landlords
• Homeowners’ insurance policies
• Property management companies
• Contractors responsible for installing or maintaining pool barriers
• Daycare providers or caretakers, if applicable

Compensation in a wrongful death claim may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses incurred prior to death
• Mental pain and suffering of parents and family members
• Loss of companionship and support

Each case must be carefully evaluated based on the specific facts and applicable Florida law.

The Importance of a Thorough Investigation

Law enforcement investigations focus on determining what occurred and whether any criminal violations apply. They do not evaluate civil liability or pursue compensation for grieving families.

An independent legal investigation may help determine:

• Whether required safety barriers were in place
• If alarms, gates, or covers were functioning properly
• Whether building or safety codes were violated
• Who owned or controlled the property
• Available insurance coverage

Preserving evidence quickly can be critical in drowning cases.

Representation for Families After Preventable Drowning Tragedies

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families across Florida in wrongful death cases involving drowning and other preventable tragedies.

Our firm:

• Conducts detailed investigations into residential drowning incidents
• Identifies all responsible parties and insurance coverage
• Handles all communications with insurers and opposing parties
• Pursues full compensation under Florida law

We intentionally maintain a small caseload so clients work directly with experienced wrongful death attorneys.

There are no upfront costs, and we only get paid if compensation is recovered.

If your family has lost a child or loved one in a drowning incident in Davie or anywhere in Florida, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free, confidential consultation.