Trigger Warning: Child Loss
We have never publicly discussed the circumstances surrounding Mia’s passing for several reasons. Primarily, it has been an immense shock for us, making it difficult to talk about as if it were real. By sharing our experience, I hope it will contribute to saving lives. So, please, share Mia’s story and make it known that drowning can occur in mere seconds.
On Sunday, April 22, everything began like any other day. After attending a concert the night before, we slept in later than usual. Mark needed to run a few errands, including picking up treats for Ella’s birthday celebration the following day. I stayed at home with the kids while they played around the pool. Mia was NOT in the pool; she would never have ventured in.
I kept moving between the house (folding laundry, etc.) and outside. I had ordered lunch via Uber Eats and decided to whip up some Easy Mac for Mia. At 1:04 p.m., I texted Mark. I was inside for only a minute or two when Ella came in, asking me to join them outside. I replied, “Sure, just a minute to finish this Easy Mac.”
Ella didn’t seem frantic; she didn’t realize the urgency of the moment. How often do our kids ask us to come into another room, and we respond with “just a minute”? How many times do we think it’s safe for them to play in a fenced backyard while we take a quick break? I wish I could turn back time and step outside then, but I acted like I had on previous occasions.
Moments later, Ella asked again for me to come outside. I agreed and walked out, only to find Mia face down in the pool. My initial thought was disbelief—this can’t be real! I pulled her out and immediately began CPR. She started to vomit, so I turned her over and attempted the Heimlich maneuver. Realizing I needed assistance, I screamed for help. A neighbor leaped over the fence in seconds and took over CPR while I dashed inside to call 911 at 1:09 p.m. Paramedics arrived, and Mia was rushed to the hospital. It was like living in a nightmare. I called Mark, and he met us at the hospital, where we anxiously waited, praying for her recovery.
Then we heard the words, “Someone call it.”
“Time of death, 1:38 p.m.”
It felt surreal, like a scene from a film. Just 34 minutes ago, Mia had been alive, and now she was gone. She hadn’t been swimming; she must have slipped, been knocked unconscious, and fallen into the water. We learned that a child can drown in 30 seconds or less if they are unconscious. You may read about it online, and you might think, “That won’t happen to me.” But it can.
The fact is, drowning can happen in seconds. NEVER leave children unattended near a pool. Don’t step away to use the bathroom, grab popsicles, or prepare lunch, thinking it’ll only take a moment. I felt secure because I knew Mia wouldn’t go near the water.
Did you know that most drownings occur when children aren’t even swimming? Please talk to your friends and family about pool safety. Share this post to help raise awareness that this can happen to anyone. We can help save lives by communicating the importance of vigilance; NEVER leave children unsupervised around a pool, even for a brief moment.
Mia was the epitome of a little princess. She adored everything beautiful—from her hair to her dresses to her shoes. Just the day before her passing, she came into the bathroom and asked, “What are you doing, Mommy?” When I replied, “Mommy is putting on her makeup,” she insisted, “I need my makeup too.” I picked her up and applied a little makeup. Her face lit up with joy. I’ll never again have the opportunity to share those mother-daughter moments with her. Losing Mia meant losing the future we had envisioned together.
I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone. It’s a horrific nightmare I keep hoping to wake from, but it’s our reality.
Please help raise awareness about water safety. By sharing Mia’s story, I hope we can prevent other parents from experiencing the heartbreak we have endured and save lives in the process. It’s crucial to emphasize that Mia didn’t drown because she couldn’t swim; she drowned because she was left alone for just a few minutes. Even if your child is an excellent swimmer, they can still fall, become unconscious, and drown. You can NEVER be too careful.
Summary
Mia’s tragic drowning serves as a stark reminder that accidents can happen in seconds, even when children are not actively swimming. The author highlights the importance of never leaving children unattended near water, sharing a deeply personal story to raise awareness about pool safety and the reality of drowning risks.
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