Days after a 3-year-old drowned in a retention pond in St. Johns County, his neighbors are rallying around his family, creating a GoFundMe to raise funds to support them as they “take time away from work to grieve, heal, and support one another.”
Jack Patzwald’s family gave permission to share the information on the GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $16,000 in less than 24 hours.
According to St. Johns County Fire Rescue, first responders were called to Crystal Sands Court in Nocatee around 7:15 p.m. Friday and found a child who had been pulled from a retention pond in cardiac arrest.
The 3-year-old was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Fire Rescue says the Sheriff’s Office is now investigating what led up to the drowning.
In the meantime, Jack’s neighbors are embracing his family amid their sudden and tragic loss.
“Jack was a joyful, curious, and deeply loved little boy whose presence brought light to everyone who knew him. His smile, laughter, and energy touched the hearts of so many in his short time here,” wrote Jacqueline Willis, the neighbor who organized the GoFundMe page. “I’ve seen the love and care (the Patzwald family) poured into Jack’s life. Now, they are navigating the unimaginable pain of losing their son.”
Willis encouraged others to share the page to help spread the word and support the Patzwalds. Willis said all donations will go directly to the family “to help cover lost income and allow them the space and time they need to begin processing this devastating loss.”
“Your support—whether through a contribution, kind message, or simply holding this family in your thoughts—means more than words can express,“ Willis wrote.
News4JAX spoke with Pat Murphy a cofounder of Goldfish Swim School in St. Johns County.
He said anytime a child drowns it terrible news to hear.
“When you see things like this or hear these things, it’s just your heart sinks,” Murphy said.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families 83 children have died from drowning this year, according to their latest records updated 08-11-25.
Last year it was 105.
It’s why Murphy said keeping a close eye on children and teaching them how to swim early is important.
“We’re trying to teach them life safety skills,” Murphy said. “What we’re trying to do is buy time. If for some reason a parent loses track of them or misses them, they happen to get into a pool or water. That they can buy some time by being able to turn onto their back or drills to get them to an edge.”