New Details In Drowning Death Of 4-Year-Old Girl At At Oakland Co. Athletic Club

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, MI — Police released new details in the case involving a 4-year-old girl's drowning death at a private athletic club in Independence Township.

The incident happened at 7:30 p.m. last Friday at the Deer Lake Athletic Club, located along the 600 block of White Lake Road, officials said.

Investigators said two women brought their children, ages 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4, to the pool. The women threw several flotation devices into the pool and then left the area to go to the club’s bar/restaurant area, officials said.

The 4-year-old Sterling Heights girl was removed from the pool by her sister, while the women were in the restaurant area where they ordered food and drinks for roughly 35 minutes, officials said.

Officers were called to the pool area's deck and found three adults performing CPR on the child, officials said.

Police took over lifesaving efforts until paramedics arrived and took the girl to a nearby hospital where she died, officials said.

Investigators said the pool depth varied from three to five feet deep. At each end of the pool were signs stating there is no lifeguard on duty and that minors under the age of 16 are not allowed in the pool without adult supervision, officials said.

Investigators did not see any life preservers in the area.

Officials were still investigating the incident and plan to turn over their findings to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for further consideration.

"This is a horrific and tragic death that easily could have been avoided," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "We always encourage that not only is there an adult present for any children swimming activity, but one adult is specifically tasked with watching and not just in the area. We have seen cases where children have drowned in a pool surrounded by adults."