Child Who Drowned At BurlCo Camp Remembered As Caring, Intelligent Boy

LUMBERTON, NJ — A boy who drowned at a Burlington County summer camp was intelligent, loving and caring, according to those who knew Michael Jeffrey Stewart.

Michael, 6, has been identified as the victim who died after being found unresponsive in a pool Monday at Liberty Lake Day Camp in Mansfield Township. Although his life was cut short, he defied the odds, according to a GoFundMe aiding Michael's family.

The Lumberton resident was born at 23 weeks. Doctors didn't expect him to survive. But Michael's mother, Enjoli Stewart, fought for her baby's life.

"Michael Jeffrey had a love of learning, was a protector for his little sister Layla and Mom, had a fascination with large vocabulary words, and just had a pure heart of gold," the GoFundMe says. "Michael Jeffrey touched everyone’s lives that he came into contact with."

Michael was a rising first-grader in the Lumberton School District. Superintendent Dr. Colleen Murray extended condolences to his family and to school staff who knew and worked with Michael.

"It’s important to note that we are in touch with the family," Murray wrote to district staff and families. "We are aware of community efforts that are being organized to support the family as they navigate this unimaginable loss."

Several fundraisers have been launched to aid Michael's family with funeral expenses and other needs:

• Return Kindness will host a pop-up lemonade stand at 12 p.m. Saturday on 561 Main St., Lumberton. The nonprofit is teaming up with Lumberton's police chief and local friends, businesses and organizations. All proceeds will support the Stewart family.
• Lumberton Township Police Lodge 201 and Johnny Longhots have partnered. From now until Sunday, a portion of payments at Johnny Longhots (1508 Route 38, Hainesport) will support Michael's family when you mention "Lumberton Strong."
• The police lodge has also created a GoFundMe.