Boy, 4, Drowns In North Brunswick Backyard Swimming Pool

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Memorial Day holiday weekend was not without tragedy in New Jersey, as a four-year-old boy drowned Saturday evening in a residential pool in North Brunswick, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced.

This occurred in the backyard of a home on Georges Road in North Brunswick.

At 7:46 p.m. Saturday, North Brunswick Police received a 911 call reporting that a child was found in the pool and wasn’t breathing.

Upon arrival, authorities performed CPR on the four-year-old and transported him to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

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"Our hearts are heavy with this tragic loss," said Prosecutor Ciccone and North Brunswick Police Chief Joseph Battaglia. "We extend our deepest condolences to the family during this incredibly difficult time. We also urge everyone to ensure the safety of all children when near water."

The incident is being investigated by Detective John Hanrahan of the North Brunswick Police Department who can be reached at 732-247-0922 or Detective Michelle Coppola of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office who can be reached at 732 745-3477.

There was an increase in child drowning deaths in America between 2019 and 2023, according to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known to ER doctors as the "100 deadliest days of summer" or "trauma season," because this is the time of year when the number of childhood accidents skyrockets, such as drowning deaths, injuries, heat exhaustion and fire injuries from grills and fireworks.

“With the start of water recreation season upon us and following the CDC’s recent report citing increases in drowning rates, especially among children, it is an important time for us to all to reflect on where we are as a country with regard to water safety,” said Dr. Adam Katchmarchi, CEO of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.

The risk of drowning varies by age:

• With infants, the greatest threat is bathtubs. It only takes two inches of water for drowning to occur.
• For toddlers, the greatest risk comes from backyard pools.
• Older, school-aged kids are at risk in more open water environments such as lakes and beaches.

According to Blake Collingsworth, when he and his wife lost their child Joshua 16 years ago, they thought they were doing everything right with pool coverings and a security camera system in place.

“We ended up being one of the statistics among the leading cause of death to children ages one to four — in the time it takes to prepare a hot dog,” he said.

The Collingsworth family has since become advocates for teaching children water competency and basic survival skills.

“Water is a constant fascination for children,” said Dr. Ben Hoffman of the AAP. “If they can get to water, they will."

Here are some common "drowning myths:"

Myth: "I Didn’t Know." "Drownings are Rare." "It Can’t Happen to Our Family." – The number one thing NDPA hears from parents who have lost a child to drowning are the words, “I didn’t know” – they didn’t know the statistics, they didn’t know the safety steps to take.

Myth: Drowning Usually Happens During Swim Time – False. In fact, 70% of toddler drownings occur during non-swim times when a child is not expected to be around the water, such as after swim time, during dinner or when parents are having cocktails at the end of the day. “This is why we emphasize the use of barriers and fencing as the first layer of protection,” said Dr. Hoffman. “The use of barriers and fencing around pools can decrease the risk of drowning by as much as 50 percent."

Myth: I Need to Wait Until My Child is Older to Enroll in Swim Lessons – There is a distinction between recreational swimming lessons and water competency, which can be started at a young age. Collingsworth, the dad whose child drowned, says: “The basic skill of learning how to flip and float is lifesaving and can be taught to a child as young as 1. By teaching children what to do if they fall into the water, how to float and get air, and reach for the side of the pool, we can help avoid having an accident turn into a tragedy.”

Myth: "If Someone is Drowning, I’ll See and Hear Them." – Drowning can occur in as little as 20 to 60 seconds, and as Katchmarchi pointed out, “A distressed swimmer that is still able to call out and keep their head above water is not a drowning victim. Thanks to Hollywood and the movies, many parents have been trained to think that drowning is a loud and pronounced event, and that if their child is in trouble in the water, they will be able to hear them and spring into action. But that is simply not the case. Drowning is often silent and happens within seconds."