2-year-old boy dies after falling into backyard pool

By Mary Manning (contact)

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 | 12:20 p.m.

A 2-year-old boy died at an area hospital Monday after he was found in a backyard pool on Sunday, Metro Police said today.

The Clark County Coroner's Office said the boy, Dayne White of Las Vegas, is still being examined by the coroner's medical examiners.

Metro officers arrived at a residence Sunday in the 6200 block of Newville Avenue, near Flamingo Road and Jones Boulevard, after a 911 caller reported a near drowning.

Family members found the boy in the family's pool, police said. There were three other children in the house, ages 10, 6 and 4.

The child was pulled from the pool by his father, who immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for emergency medical crews to arrive, police said.

The family has no criminal or abuse and neglect history and there is no indication of foul play, police said.

Police said it appears the child slipped out of sight before getting into the pool.

There were no barriers around the pool at the home, said Lisa Teele, supervisor of Metro's Abuse and Neglect Division.

"At this point in time, everything points to this being a tragic accident," Teele said. "As our temperatures are rising, we need to be mindful of where our children are at all times and remember to supervise around water."

Police urge families and caregivers to take the following precautions to ensure children are safe around water:

• -- Be aware of a child's whereabouts at all times.
• -- Secure doors leading to a pool area.
• -- Place barriers and fencing around pool areas.
• -- Remove toys and articles from the pool when not in use.
• -- Secure all dog doors as small children can get to pool areas this way.
• -- Remember it is never safe to leave children unsupervised near or around bodies of water.