JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said that it is investigating after a 3-year-old girl with autism drowned in a retention pond on the city’s Northside on Monday.
JSO said just after 7:30 a.m., officers responded to the Waterside Townhomes at River City regarding a missing girl with autism. Officers searched the area and found the girl unresponsive in a nearby retention pond.
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Investigators said they are determining how the girl was able to leave the home and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
No foul play is suspected at this time, JSO said.
In early August, Chace Brown, 7, also was found in a retention pond after going missing from his home on the Northside.
The sheriff’s office is reminding people about the dangers of water, especially for children with autism. It offered safety tips for the community.
- 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.