DFPS Reports 53 Child Drownings in Texas This Year

According to the San Antonio Express News, a staggering 53 reports of child drowning have already been made to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) this year.

Most recent is the drowning of 4-year-old Judas Gutierrez of New Braunfels, a small community north of San Antonio, Texas.

Canyon Lake Drowning

• Christine Gutierrez, 34, was visiting Canyon Lake, about 35 miles north of San Antonio, with several family members and her two children Alanis Jane and Judas.
• While walking towards the river, Alanis Jane dropped her sandwich on the ground. Judas ran ahead of his mother with his cousin as she was bent down to pick up her daughter’s sandwich.
• Gutierrez reports that when she stood up, she could not find her son.
• After a frantic search, Judas’s unconscious body was pulled from the lake. He died that night at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.

Child Drowning Reports

“What happens is they’re using all of their energy and all of their willpower to stay afloat. So it is quiet, their not saying ‘help,’ and it happens very fast, it can happen in 20 seconds.” – Bill Hinton, Life Guard Trainer as publish in by the San Antonio Express News

• As of July 31, there have been 53 reports of child drowning accidents in Texas for 2013.
• A total of 90 reports of child drowning occurred in 2011 and 74 reports of child drowning in 2012.
• The majority of child drowning incidents in Texas occur in swimming pools. Lakes and bath tubs are also common accident sites.
• Experts warn it only takes seconds for a child to drown, and there is often no cry for help.

Tips to Prevent Child Drowning

• For children under 4, always stay within arms reach. Also, watch you child’s face as it may be the only warning of danger.
• Do not depend on floaties. Water wings, inner tubes, and blow up boats are toys, are not certified floatation devices. Remove them when your child is out of the pool so they are not tempted to reenter the water.
• Teach you child to swim. Swimming instruction is strongly recommended for children over 4, but may benefit children as young as 1.
• If you own a pool, put up a fence that is at least 4 feet tall, and keep all pool toys out side of the fenced area to prevent your child from being tempted to go close to the water.
• Completely remove pool covers from the pool before letting a child near the water.
• Never leave a child unsupervised around a lake, beach, pool, hot tub, creek, or drainage ditch when outdoors.

Contact an Experienced Child Injury Attorney

At Thomas J. Henry, we have the experience and resources to handle your child’s case. If your child has been the victim of a serious injury, contact our offices. We represent clients/victims all over the country. We are available 24/7, nights and weekends.