Tragic Trend: More 1-Year-Olds Drown in Stanfield Pools This Summer

The Arizona Republic recently reported 13 pediatric drownings — deaths of children younger than 5 — in the first half of 2024 in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. This figure surpasses the total for the entirety of last year and marks the highest number recorded by June in over a decade.

However, one case was missed in their report.

Samuel Rosales, aged 1, drowned on June 8, according to the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office. A family friend confirmed today that the baby, known as “Luke” to his family, died that day in a swimming pool in Stanfield.

The Stanfield family organized a fundraiser that raised $1,255 for Luke’s funeral. The organizers did not respond to requests for comment.

The incident is under investigation by law enforcement.

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lauren Reimer stated, “PCSO responded to the June 8 incident and we are investigating.”

According to Children’s Safety Zone, drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 in Arizona.

“The main message is that drowning is preventable, and everyone should have multiple layers of protection in place,” said Monica Williams, Maricopa public safety spokesperson. “These layers ensure that if one fails, additional measures can protect individuals of all ages before they reach the water.”

Williams cited examples such as a door alarm that sounds when opened, a gated pool with a latch, and alarms that trigger when the pool’s water surface is unexpectedly broken.

The Maricopa Fire and Medical Department provides four tips for pool safety:

• Never leave children unattended without an adult present.
• Keep children within arm’s reach of a capable adult.
• Use scanning techniques to monitor children and keep head counts.
• Learn to identify and predict signs of drowning, such as a victim’s head being tilted back with their mouth open at water level.

Tags: #1yearold #drowned #Stanfield #pool #happening #summer

Categories: Featured,Public Safety,child drowning,infant drowning,Luke Rosales,monica williams,Pinal County,Samuel Rosales,Stanfield

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