A Louisiana babysitter has been arrested after a three-year-old boy drowned in a backyard pool and remained undiscovered for approximately 20 minutes, according to law enforcement officials. Joann Johnson, a 37-year-old resident of Prairieville, surrendered to authorities on Wednesday following the tragic incident at her in-home daycare.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office reported that deputies responded to a 911 call on May 18 regarding a drowning at Johnson's residence. First responders administered CPR and airlifted the child to a hospital, but he later succumbed to his injuries. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage to determine the sequence of events leading to the drowning.
The video revealed that two young children under Johnson's supervision were playing near the pool when the victim fell into the water. Police noted that the children were not wearing any flotation devices or safety gear. The three-year-old remained unconscious in the pool for about 20 minutes before Johnson was seen retrieving him, the sheriff's office said. An arrest warrant was issued, and Johnson was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on one count of negligent homicide.
According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged one to four. The alliance warns that drowning can occur in as little as 30 seconds. Furthermore, nearly 70 percent of child drownings happen during non-swim times, and 88 percent occur with at least one adult present. The organization advises caregivers to maintain close supervision of children in or near water and to ensure pools are enclosed by fencing and other safety barriers.
