A 4-year-old girl drowned at Deer Lake Athletic Club on Jan. 30 after being left unsupervised while two adults who accompanied the children spent about 35 minutes in the club's bar and restaurant. The child was pulled from the pool by her sister and given CPR by bystanders; deputies and paramedics continued lifesaving efforts before she was pronounced dead at a hospital. Signs at the pool warn that no lifeguard is on duty and that minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The club says it followed emergency protocols and is cooperating with investigators; the case will be forwarded to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.
4-Year-Old Girl Drowns After Being Left Unsupervised at Deer Lake Athletic Club; Sheriff Urges Dedicated Supervision
Deer Lake Athletic ClubGoogle Maps
A 4-year-old girl died after drowning at the Deer Lake Athletic Club in Oakland County, Michigan, on the evening of Friday, Jan. 30. Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office responded to the club at about 7:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a possible drowning.
Details of the Incident
Investigators say two adult women brought six children — ages 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 — to the club earlier that evening. After placing several floating devices in the water, the women left the pool area and went to the club's bar and restaurant, where they remained for roughly 35 minutes while ordering food and drinks. During that time, no adult supervision was present at the pool; the oldest child on site was 12.
Stock photo of an indoor swimming poolHalfpoint Images/Getty
The 4-year-old was pulled from the pool by her sister. When deputies arrived, the child was on the pool deck and bystanders — two adult males and one female — were administering CPR. Deputies continued lifesaving efforts until paramedics from the Independence Township Fire Department arrived; the child was transported to a nearby hospital and later pronounced deceased.
Facility Conditions and Response
Investigators noted that signs at each end of the pool state there is no lifeguard on duty and that minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Officials observed pool toys and pool noodles near the area but did not see any life preservers. The pool depth was reported to vary between about three and five feet.
Deer Lake Athletic ClubGoogle Maps
In a statement, Deer Lake Athletic Club said emergency services were contacted immediately and that staff members responded according to established safety and emergency procedures. The club confirmed it is cooperating fully with local authorities and asked the community to respect the family's privacy.
"This is a horrific and tragic death that could have easily been avoided," Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said. "We always encourage that not only is there an adult present for any children's swimming activity, but one adult is specifically tasked with watching and not just in the area."
Investigation
The incident remains under review and will be submitted to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for further consideration.
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