Boy pulled from pool at home day care dies

2-year-old mother announces his passing on Facebook

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 2-year-old boy pulled from a backyard pool at an unlicensed home day care center on Westside on Tuesday has died, his mother announced on social media Friday afternoon.

Steven Spurlock's mother, Heather, posted a message on Facebook page: "Our sweet baby boy has grown his angel wings. We'll miss you buttercup."

One day earlier she posted after being told by doctors that her son had no brain activity.

"Now we just have to be able to let go. God give us strength. I don't know that I can do this," Heather Spurlock wrote.

Her page and the Prayers for Baby Steven page are filled with messages of support for the family and remembrances of the boy.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Department of Children and Families are investigating after the boy was pulled from the pool of the home day care center, but so far the owners have not been fined or charged with any crime.

According to city records, the house on Ireland Drive is owned by the Buchanan family. They did not answer the door at the home Wednesday and declined comment on the phone.

DCF spokesman John Harrell said 13 children were enrolled in the day care, though seven were being cared for in the house Tuesday. DCF issued a cease and desist order for the day care Wednesday.

Harrell said investigators found the pool gate was latched but not locked. As for home day cares, state law says residents can take care of their own children, children from their immediate family, and children from one other family. Any others requires a license.

For many families, paying for the care is difficult. The executive director of the Early Learning Coalition of Duval, which helps families find good day cares in Jacksonville, said there are licensed 1,200 providers in town.