A four-year-old tragically di£d after she and five other children were left alone in a pool while two mothers meant to be supervising the kids headed to a bar, police said.
The little girl was pulled from the water by her sister, at an athletic club, when their mum sipped on drinks and tucked into food at a club bar, according to local cops.
Two women brought six kids to a pool at the Deer Lake Athletic Club in Independence Township, Michigan, around 40 miles north west of Detroit, police said. The six children left alone in the waters were aged 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4.
The two women, who have not yet been identified, left the young kids with floatation devices, on January 30. They then spent 35 minutes ordering food and drinks at a bar, a preliminary report from Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said.
Police who arrived at the scene reported seeing the young children around the deck while CPR was being administered by two men and a woman. Paramedics rushed to the scene but the four-year-old was sadly pronounced de@d after she was taken to a nearby hospital.
Cops said the pool was between three to five feet deep and investigators found pool toys and swimming noodles, but no life jackets.
The local police urged parents and guardians to carefully look out and be ready to help their children while swimming.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard said: “This is a horrific and tragic de@th that easily could have been avoided.
“We always encourage that not only is there an adult present for any children swimming activity, but one adult is specifically tasked with watching and not just in the area. We have seen cases where children have drowned in a pool surrounded by adults.”
Police added that an investigation into the horror de@th was launched and is ongoing, while a report was sent to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Deer Lake Athletic Club, in a statement, said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the news of a tragic incident involving a child that occurred at our facility on January 30, 2026.
“Our hearts are broken for the child and their family. While we don’t know the outcome of the event at this time, we extend our most sincere prayers for everyone involved. No words can adequately express the sorrow felt by our entire club community.
“Emergency services were contacted immediately, and staff members responded in accordance with established safety and emergency protocols. We are cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their review of the incident.”
