A 4-year-old boy drowned in a residential pool in North Brunswick, New Jersey on Saturday night, local officials said.
First responders found the boy after police received a 911 call at 7:46 p.m. reporting that the child was found in the home’s pool and was not breathing, according to a joint statement Sunday from Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and North Brunswick Police Chief Joseph Battaglia.
Officials performed CPR but were unable to save the boy, authorities said.
The child, whose name wasn’t released, was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“Our hearts are heavy with this tragic loss,” Ciccone and Battaglia said in the statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family during this incredibly difficult time. We also urge everyone to ensure the safety of all children when near water.”
Authorities did not provide details about the tragedy, including the address where it happened, how the boy ended up in the pool, and whether the boy lived at the home.
Both the North Brunswick Police and Middlesex County prosecutor’s office are investigating.
In a news release about the death, officials linked to guidelines from the Red Cross about “Home Pool and Hot Tub Safety.”
The nonprofit organization urges families to “secure your pool with appropriate barriers,” and to “designate a water watcher…and stay in arm’s reach of young children.” It also advises to “check the water first” if a child is missing.
