A child, 5, drowned at a Florida vacation home, adding to what is on track to be the deadliest year for child drownings in the state’s modern history.
The unidentified child was at the bottom of a Davenport swimming pool shortly after 1 p.m. July 27, according to WESH 2. Authorities performed life-saving measures on the child, who was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.
It was reported the child, from Brevard County, was vacationing with extended family. A message was left with Osceola County Sheriff’s Department.
Florida on track for deadliest year in child drownings
Child drownings in Florida are on pace to surpass the number in 2025, the deadliest year for child drownings in modern Florida history, according to officials and child safety experts.
Not including the latest drowning, 76 children have died by drowning in 2026 as of July 27, according to data from the Florida Department of Children and Families. Last year, there were 119 child drowning deaths. Most of them were children 3 years old and under.
Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children aged 1-4 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida, a fast-growing state with over a million and a half swimming pools and 825 miles of beach, is the national leader in unintentional drowning deaths for that age range.
“We’ve seen an alarming rate of drownings taking place in our community, and we’re calling on everyone to come together as a united front to prevent these tragedies from happening,” Stephen Gollan, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief, said at a July 22 press conference along with the Florida Department of Health, Nicklaus Children’s Health System, the local YMCA and other community leaders.
“Please take the time to educate your children on how to swim, especially down here in South Florida.”
How many children die by drowning in Florida?
In the last ten years, 895 children died by drowning in Florida, according to data from the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Many more survived, but may have suffered serious outcomes including brain damage and long-term disabilities, the CDC said. Nearly 40% of drowning victims who make it to an emergency room require hospitalization or transfer for further care.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Child drowns in Florida pool as alarming fatality numbers rise in 2026
Reporting by Michelle Spitzer and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michelle Spitzer and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
