3-Year-Old Child Drowns After Falling Into Backyard Pool in Southwest Miami-Dade

A devastating drowning tragedy in southwest Miami-Dade County has claimed the life of a 3-year-old child, underscoring the ongoing dangers residential pools pose to young children and the importance of proper safety measures.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence located at 11931 SW 132nd Avenue after receiving reports of a drowning on Saturday.

Investigators say the child was found submerged in a backyard swimming pool. The family immediately removed the child from the water and began performing life-saving measures until emergency responders arrived. The child was rushed to the hospital but tragically did not survive.

Authorities indicated that the family had been asleep when the child accessed the backyard and fell into the pool. The incident remains under active investigation.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Angel Rodriguez. “Our thoughts and prayers are with this family.”

Florida continues to lead the nation in childhood drowning deaths. According to 2024 data, 119 children drowned in Florida, marking an increase from prior years and setting a new record.

Drowning is consistently one of the leading causes of death for children under five, particularly in residential pools. These incidents often occur quickly and silently, even when adults are nearby or asleep.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and safety officials emphasize that drownings are often preventable. Recommended safety measures include:

• Installing four-foot-high pool fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates
• Using pool alarms and door alarms that alert caregivers when a child accesses the pool area
• Teaching children basic swimming and water survival skills
• Maintaining constant supervision, especially for young children
• Securing doors and windows leading to the backyard pool

As officials emphasized following this tragedy, it is critical for families to ensure that proper barriers, locks, and alarms are in place.

Legal Liability After a Child Drowning

In some cases, a child drowning may involve negligence or unsafe conditions, including:

• Lack of required pool fencing or barriers
• Defective or missing gates, locks, or alarms
• Unsafe property design
• Failure to comply with local or state pool safety regulations

Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, parents or legal guardians may have the right to pursue a claim if negligence contributed to a child’s death. These cases are deeply sensitive and require a careful, thorough investigation.

Compensation may include:

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

How Flanagan & Bodenheimer Helps Families After Child Drownings

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families devastated by preventable child drownings and other fatal accidents across Florida.

We intentionally maintain a small caseload, allowing families to work directly with experienced attorneys who handle every case with care, urgency, and respect. Our team promptly works to:

• Investigate pool safety compliance and property conditions
• Preserve evidence and inspection records
• Identify responsible parties, including property owners or managers
• Handle all communication with insurers and investigators

Families pay nothing upfront. We only recover fees if we recover compensation.

If your family has suffered the tragic loss of a child in a drowning or pool-related incident, you do not have to navigate this process alone.

📞 Contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation. We represent families throughout Miami-Dade County and across Florida, and we are committed to helping families seek accountability and justice after unimaginable loss.