A three-year-old recently passed away after a drowning in Florida, serving as a reminder that drownings can happen in seconds and to take safety tips to heart.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated the drowning where a three-year-old child sadly passed away. District 6 Patrol officers responded to a call at the Waterside Townhomes at River City regarding a missing girl with Autism.
Officers immediately began searching the area and made a heartbreaking discovery a short time later.
They found the child unresponsive in a nearby retention pond.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit detectives and Crime Scene Unit responded and conducted an investigation.
Investigators were working to determine how the child was able to exit her home and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Foul play is not suspected at this time. It is a tragic reminder of the dangers of water, especially for children with Autism, according to law enforcement.
A 7-year-old boy with Autism recently drowned in a different pond, also on the Northside.
State data analyzed by the Tampa Bay Times shows that, in 2025, children with Autism accounted for 21% of child drowning deaths in Florida, despite making up about 5% of the state’s youth population. Retention ponds are especially dangerous as they have steep slopes and get deep quickly.
Local law enforcement asked the community to please take these safety tips to heart:
- Block access to water. Use fencing, door and window alarms, locks and other barriers to prevent children from slipping out.
- Know what’s nearby. Check your neighborhood and look for potential access to ponds, lakes, rivers and pools.
- If your child goes missing, call 911 immediately and check the water first.
- Teach water safety. Swimming lessons, including those designed for children with disabilities, can help reduce the risk of drowning.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this child who lost her life today, as well as all other families dealing with these tragedies,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated at the time.
