5-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Katy Pool During Family New Year’s Celebration

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

January 2, 2023

By Natalie Cook Clark

Authorities are investigating a possible drowning of a boy said to be about 5-years-old who was found in a pool at a Katy home on Sunday. He was found in the water during a New Year's celebration at the home.

According to Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the family was having a New Year’s celebration at the home at the 5100 block Smokey River Drive near Keith Harrow Boulevard. The boy left the party to go outside by the pool and then was found by his mother in the water.

According to authorities, the boy’s mother performed CPR but he passed away by the time he was flown to the hospital.

Texas, Harris County Lead in Pediatric Drownings

Texas leads the nation in pediatric drowning statistics with Harris County leading the count. In 2021 there were 77 reported child drownings in Texas. In 2022 there were 76 reported drownings. The Cy Fair and Katy area lead the count.

Texas Children’s Hospital offers information to help educate families against this tragedy. The hospital also warns that for each child who drowns, four others will suffer brain damage from submersion injuries.

Protect Our children

• Children can drown in as little as 1" of water; hazards include bathtubs, buckets, pools, bodies of water, etc.

• Create barriers between your child and the water

• Close, lock, and alarm all doors that lead to water

• Remove toys from any pool to avoid temptation

• Drain inflatable/kiddie pools, after each use and store upside down and out of reach

• Remove ladders from above ground pools when not in use

• Always assign an adult to watch the water without any distractions (phones, books, or socializing with other adults). Download a Water Watcher Card (www.safekids.org)

• Drowning is preventable and affect all people regardless of their background

• Many children drown when they were not expected to be in the water, so consider all of the possible hazards for your family and take precautions now.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported the possible drowning a little after 7:00 p.m. on January 1, 2023. This is the first possible drowning in the New Year for the area.

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