Tragic Drowning of 5-Year-Old After Disappearance from New Naples Home

A devastating tragedy unfolded this weekend in Southwest Florida, as a 5-year-old nonverbal boy with autism was found dead in a pond just one day after disappearing from his family’s new home. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Jaylen Saintelien was reported missing on the afternoon of Saturday, July 26, and was later discovered deceased on Sunday morning in a retention pond near the family’s residence in Naples.

Jaylen’s family had recently moved into their new home and were in the process of unpacking when the unthinkable occurred. According to official reports, Jaylen’s mother was folding laundry in a bedroom while he sat in the kitchen on a barstool, eating pizza. When she checked on him again a short time later, he had vanished.

The family immediately began searching the home and surrounding area before contacting 911 when he could not be found. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office launched an extensive search operation involving ground patrol units, mounted deputies, drones, a dive team, and numerous community volunteers.

Despite the family’s hopes and the community’s tireless efforts, Jaylen’s body was tragically discovered the following morning in a pond near the property.

According to the National Autism Association, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children with autism. Retention ponds, which are common in Florida neighborhoods, often lack adequate fencing or signage to deter unsupervised access.

Legal Options After a Fatal Drowning in Florida

While no wrongdoing has been reported at this time, this heartbreaking incident highlights a potential premises liability issue. Florida property owners, including homeowners associations and developers, may have a duty to ensure that potentially hazardous features, such as retention ponds, are reasonably secured, especially in residential areas where children are likely to be present.

In some cases, if a pond or body of water is deemed an “attractive nuisance,” meaning it presents a hidden danger likely to attract children, the property owner may be legally liable for resulting injuries or deaths. Inadequate fencing, lack of posted warnings, or failure to secure access points could contribute to a finding of negligence.

Families in similar situations may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim if it can be shown that a third party failed to take reasonable steps to protect against foreseeable dangers.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we are committed to helping families who have suffered unimaginable losses due to negligence or unsafe conditions. If you have lost a loved one in a similar situation, we encourage you to speak with a compassionate, experienced personal injury attorney to explore your legal options.