Dry Drowning Suspected In Death Of 4-year Old Boy

TEXAS CITY, TX — The death of 4-year old boy who died a week after swimming near the Texas City Dike may be attributed to a rare condition called “dry drowning.”

Frankie Delgado took his final breath on June 4, six days after a wave from a passing boat knocked him over as he played in knee-deep water at the Texas City Dike over Memorial Day Weekend. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

Frankie’s face went into the water and he inhaled some of the water, according to a KPRC report, and told his father he was fine.

"He had fun the rest of the day," Frankie’s dad told KPRC. "I never thought nothing of it."

A day later, his son became ill with virus-like symptom such as vomiting and diarrhea, and his parents treated him at home.

The symptoms persisted for a week, and then on Saturday, Frankie, who’d been complaining of shoulder pain, woke suddenly, gasped, and stopped breathing, KTRK reported.

The boy was rushed to East Houston Regional Hospital, where doctors tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him.

He was pronounced dead an hour later.

The doctor’s told Frankie’s parents that their son had water in his lungs and around his heart, and attributed his death to dry drowning, KPRC reported.

Dry drowning occurs when water enters the lungs, causing the larynx or vocal cords to spasm or close up, and usually occurs hours after a child leaves the water, according to WebMD.com

Meanwhile, a the family has set up a GoFundMe page to pay for funeral expenses.

Frankie Delgado’s funeral will be held Saturday, June 10, at the Compean Funeral Home on 2101 Broadway St. The viewing is at 10 a.m. The funeral begins at 1 p.m.

Image: Shutterstock

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