WHITE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — State police told 11 News this was a terrible accident. It all started with an urgent late night search for a missing child but ended in tragedy.
A 5-year-old boy who was reported missing died after he was found in a swimming pool late Wednesday night in Indiana County, Pennsylvania State Police said.
His family reported him missing last night after he wandered away in his pajamas from their home in White Township. Police say he was nonverbal, and they alerted the community right away.
DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Around 11 p.m., Hatinda was found unresponsive in a pool about one-tenth of a mile from his home, police said. First responders attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead shortly after 12 a.m. Thursday at Indiana Regional Medical Center.
“As you can imagine this was a very urgent situation. Our troopers initiated a very thorough search for this child they began to canvas the area knocking on doors,” explained Trooper Cliff Greenfield.
Countless neighbors also helped in the search – including Mary Murphy.
“Neighbors were just everywhere, and I feel like all of Indiana was alerted to it,” Murphy said. “I just can’t imagine how devastating it is to his family.”
First responders did everything they could to save him, but sadly, he passed away. Investigators said it was an accidental drowning.
Some neighbors believe this unkept pool is a hazard and danger to other kids in the neighborhood because it’s not completely fenced in.
Channel 11 tried talking to the pool owner but no one was home. In light of this tragedy, especially during these summer months, state police are stressing the importance of pool safety, which includes gate lights and all-around fencing.
TRENDING NOW:
©2021 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
