A toddler tragically passed away in an apparent drowning incident at his residence in Margate on Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities responded to a distress call at a residence on Northwest 79th Avenue around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they administered CPR to the child before the fire rescue team took over. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the toddler was pronounced dead upon arrival at Broward Health Coral Springs.
The young boy, named Legend Love, was set to celebrate his second birthday in the coming month, as shared by his grandfather, Anthony Johnson, with the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The residence where the incident occurred belongs to Johnson, who mentioned that his daughter, the mother of Legend, and the toddler resided with him. Johnson had returned home early from work due to feeling unwell and had retired to his room for rest.
While Johnson was at home, a family friend was looking after Legend as his mother was at work as a nurse at the same hospital where the child was taken. Johnson recalled seeing the family friend and Legend together in the living room before he dozed off, only to be awakened by the friend’s cries for help.
Upon witnessing the distressing scene, Johnson promptly dialed 911. Despite the swift response from first responders, the situation proved to be beyond salvageable.
Describing Legend as a joyful and lively child who found delight in the simplest of things, Johnson reminisced about his grandson’s playful and affectionate nature. He recounted how Legend would eagerly lead others by the hand when seeking something to eat, embodying a spirit of joy and innocence.
Reflecting on the tragic incident, Johnson expressed his deep sorrow, emphasizing the profound impact Legend had on his life and how cherished the opportunity to raise his grandchild was.
Authorities from the Margate Police department confirmed that no charges were anticipated in connection with the incident.
Florida has long been identified as having the highest rate of unintentional drowning incidents involving young children aged between 1 and 4 years, based on data from the Florida Department of Health.
In 2024, the state has already recorded 18 drowning fatalities among children, primarily affecting those between 1 and 3 years old, according to statistics from the Department of Children and Families. A significant portion of these tragedies occurred in South Florida.
Tragically, in 2023, at least 99 children lost their lives to drowning incidents, with the majority falling within the 1 to 3-year-old age group. Among these fatalities, 20 children were from South Florida.
In a separate heartbreaking incident, siblings were discovered unresponsive in a pool at a Hollywood Airbnb last June, leading to their untimely demise. The family, visiting from out of state, experienced a devastating loss due to the pool’s inadequate safety measures.
Emphasizing the importance of water safety, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance advocates for various preventive measures, including the installation of barriers like secure fences and alarm systems, constant adult supervision near water bodies, early swimming lessons for children, the use of life jackets, and being prepared for emergencies through CPR training and keeping communication devices nearby.