Autistic Boy Drowned While High School's Lifeguard At Computer In Nearby Office: Lawsuit

CHICAGO, IL — An unnamed lifeguard at a Garfield Ridge high school was at a computer in a nearby office and didn't notice a 14-year-old autistic student drowning in the deep end of the school's pool, according to a $100,000 wrongful death lawsuit filed Wednesday by the boy's family against the Chicago Board of Education, NBC 5 Chicago reports.

Rosario Israel Gomez, who didn't know how to swim, was unconscious when he was pulled from the bottom of the pool at John F. Kennedy High School, 6325 W. 56th St., on Jan. 25, and was taken to McNeal Hospital in Berwyn, where he was pronounced dead. The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled that the teen's drowning death was accidental.

Acording to the two-count lawsuit, Israel — as his family referred to the boy, who lived in the West Elsdon neighborhood — was in the pool with his special education class, but he was unsupervised as he drifted to the pool's deep end, NBC 5 reports.

RELATED: Unconscious Teen Pulled From High School Pool Dies

But the teen's family says in the lawsuit that Israel should have been under constant supervision while in the pool and been given one-on-one lessons, the report stated. The family also claims the school should have outfitted the Israel — who struggled to communicate while he was in trouble because of his cognitive disabilities — with a flotation device or paired him with another swimmer, the report added.

A school spokesman would not comment on the incident, citing the pending lawsuit, according to NBC 5.

As Israel went under the water, a school lifeguard was working at a computer in an adjacent office, not knowing the boy was in trouble, the report stated. Efforts were made to resuscitate the Israel at the scene, but he had been underwater too long for them to be successful, the report added.

RELATED: Family Of Autistic Boy Pulled From High School Pool 'Cannot Understand" How He Died

The family created a GoFundMe page to help pay the costs of Israel's funeral. The page had a goal of $10,000, but in the end, the campaign was able to raise $16,8300.

"We are all devastated and cannot understand how the place your child should feel safe … suddenly becomes the reason why he does not come home," according to a statement explaining the campaign.

Israel's family also talked about being "addicted to his charming ways" and discussed the things the boy enjoyed in life on the fundraising page:

"His autism was what made him strong, what made him unique. He loved trains, he loved taking the subway and going on trips in the Metra. He could tell you every stop from his home all the way to whatever destination you had. He loved school and always looked forward to getting up and going. … He loved to help grandma with anything she needed, especially since she has trouble walking. He loved going everywhere with his grandfather."

The news of Israel's death was particularly difficult for the boy's grandfather. He was hospitalized after learning the boy had died.

More via NBC 5 Chicago

Rosario Israel Gomez (screen shot via GoFundMe)

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