Police ID Teen Who Drowned Labor Day In Lake Tonetta

SOUTHEAST, NY — A 14-year-old boy drowned in Lake Tonetta on Labor Day. He had been swimming with others after dark at a private neighborhood beach.

Putnam County Sheriff Robert L. Langley Jr. identified the victim as Oscar Gonzalez of Southeast.

At about 9 p.m. Sept. 3, deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call. When they arrived they observed a group of people at the end of the dock and an adult man in the water. The
man informed the deputies that he was nearby when he heard cries for help. He dove into the water to attempt to rescue the teen, but was unable to locate him.

Witnesses indicated that Oscar had been with three of his friends, when a paddle board they were on turned over and Oscar disappeared under the water.

At about 9:51 p.m., members of the Mahopac Falls Fire Department Dive Team found Oscar, the sheriff said.

The Journal News reported that the water in that area was about 20 feet deep.

An ambulance crew transported him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:17 p.m.

Oscar Gonzalez was born on Sept. 17, 2003 and was about to start classes at Brewster High School. Sheriff Langley expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the young man.