Massachusetts

5-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Pulled From Pool in Malden, Massachusetts

A 5-year-old boy died Thursday afternoon after being pulled from a pool in Malden, Massachusetts.

Emergency crews responded to a report of a possible drowning on Princeton Road around noon.

Neighbor Nicole Barrette told NBC10 Boston the mother had gone to pick up mail at the home where she used to live and turned her back for a moment and her son was gone. She then heard screaming.

"I seen him this morning just playing in the yard and I didn't see him after that because I was just cutting my grass and I looked over and saw adults in the front but I didn't see the little boy and then I heard screaming," said Barrette.

Middlesex DA Marian Ryan confirmed that at 11:53 a.m., Malden police received notice about a missing child from a home on Princeton Road. Police officers and EMTs "attempted lifesaving efforts" but the child was pronounced dead around 1 p.m. at MelroseWakefield Hostpital.

The boy's cousin, Jedson Francois, was the first to spot him in the pool.

"When I looked on the other side, I saw his shoes on the side and saw him at the bottom of the pool," said Francois. "The first thing I do was jump the fence—I just get him out."

Jaimie MacDonald and Shannon Gibson, two recent nursing graduates who live across the street, heard the commotion and rushed to help the boy.

"It goes from zero to 100 real quick and it's just instinct almost," said MacDonald.

The boy was rushed to an area hospital where he later died. Family members said that he was a sweet boy, who made everyone laugh "all the time."

The owner of the pool arrived home around 1 p.m. Neighbors said the pool is gated and locked. It's believed the child climbed over the fence.

"His mom... I just feel terrible for the whole family. I pray for all of them. I don't know how they're going to deal with it," said Gibson.

Jeremiah’s mother is pregnant and due next month. She was taken to the hospital for observation. Family says she will be released soon and the baby is fine.

DA says the drowning was an accident and that foul play is not suspected. 

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