New Britain Boy Who Drowned Monday Had The 'Biggest Heart'

NEW BRITAIN BOROUGH, PA — A makeshift memorial continues to grow on the banks of the pond where a 9-year-old boy accidentally drowned on Monday.

Joey Malcolm Jr. was no doubt doing what little boys love to do - exploring the world of nature at the local pond - when suddenly something went wrong.

The solitude of this quiet, close-knit neighborhood was broken by emergency vehicles as police and rescue crews raced to the scene to find Joey who had gone missing.

When police arrived they found his fishing pole and his bike next to the pond, but no signs of the 9-year-old.

During a search of the pond by rescue crews from Point Pleasant, Joey was found and was immediately transported to Doylestown Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Patch was told that from the time he was taken out of the lake until he reached the hospital, medics worked to revive the boy.

By Wednesday, the makeshift memorial to Joey - who is described as a "sweet boy, with the biggest heart," - had grown across the banks of the pond.

A kindergarten photo of Joey wearing a cat mask on his head with the words, "It's all good," written across the bottom, held a place of prominence surrounded by all the things a little boy would love - a soccer ball, a dinosaur, a Lego creation, and a teddy bear.

Joey's school, Doyle Elementary, sent out an email to its families on Tuesday informing them of the loss.

“It is with tremendous sorrow that we share with you the tragic news that Joey Malcolm, a rising 4th-grade student, died in a drowning accident Monday evening. This loss is devastating for the Malcolm family and our Doyle community.

“Joey was a sweet boy, with the biggest heart," said the email. "He was always so happy, with a love for school, adventure, his family, and his friends. On behalf of all of us in the Doyle community, we are sending our heartfelt sympathy and support to the Malcolm family, as well as Joey’s friends and neighbors.”

Joey will be remembered during a visitation at the Beck-Givnish Life Celebration Home, Inc., 7400 New Falls Road, Levittown, on Wednesday, June 28 from 12 to 2 p.m. Words of remembrance will be shared at 2 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO READ HIS FULL OBITUARY