4-Year-Old Drowns At Pool Party; Mom Charged In Death: Police

BRADENTON, FL — A 4-year-old girl drowned at a pool party Saturday night in Bradenton and her mother is charged in connection with the death, police said.

Rosette Pierrecius, 32, attended the party and was arrested Sunday morning and charged with child neglect causing great bodily harm, according to police, who said the investigation was ongoing.

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“Sadly, drowning is the leading cause of death in America among children one to four, and drownings can happen even with many adults present,” the Bradenton Police Department said in a social media post about the death. “Even when lifeguards are present, we cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of a dedicated ‘water watcher’ to help keep our children safe.”

Officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. to the Kendall Ridge Apartment Homes in the 300 block of 26th Avenue West, according to the police, who said the child was pronounced dead at a hospital despite attempts to revive her.

A large group, including the girl’s family, was at the party, police said, adding the child had been swimming and slipped underwater, remaining at the bottom of the pool for several minutes before she was found.