JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 3-year-old autistic girl drowned in a retention pond in North Jacksonville on Monday morning, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Police officers responded just after 7:30 a.m. to the Waterside Townhomes at River City about a missing autistic girl, JSO said.
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That’s located near Max Leggett Parkway and Hyatt Road, just west of Main Street.
“Officers immediately began searching the area and made a heartbreaking discovery a short time later,” JSO said in a news release.
JSO said its Homicide Unit detectives and Crime Scene Unit are investigating how the child was able to exit her home and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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Police say foul play is not suspected at this time.
The Medical Examiner’s Office and the Florida Department of Children and Families is also investigating the drowning..
Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact JSO at (904) 630-0500, by email at jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org, or via Crime Stoppers at 1 (866) 845-TIPS.
JSO shares water safety tips
JSO said this case is “a tragic reminder of the dangers of water, especially for children with autism.”
The agency also mentioned the death of Chace Brown, a 7-year-old autistic boy who drowned in a different pond earlier this month, also on the Northside.
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JSO shared these water safety tips for parents and caregivers:
- Block access to water. Use fencing, door and window alarms, locks and other barriers to prevent children from slipping out.
- Know what’s nearby. Check your neighborhood and look for potential access to ponds, lakes, rivers and pools.
- If your child goes missing, call 911 immediately and check the water first.
- Teach water safety. Swimming lessons, including those designed for children with disabilities, can help reduce the risk of drowning.
Action News Jax told you earlier this month that Florida provides free swimming vouchers for low-income families with annual household income of no more than 200% of the federal poverty level.
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