A 32-year-old mother, Rosette Pierrecius, has been arrested and charged with child neglect after her 4-year-old daughter tragically drowned during a pool party in Bradenton, Florida on Saturday, May 9.
Tragic Drowning at Pool Party
The incident occurred at the Kendall Ridge Apartment Complex, where a large group, including Pierrecius’ family, gathered for a pool party.
According to the Bradenton Police Department, the young girl was found at the bottom of the pool several minutes before she was discovered. Despite efforts to perform CPR, emergency services transported the child to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Officers were dispatched to the scene at 9:10 p.m., arriving within three minutes, but tragically, the child could not be revived.
Arrest and Charges
On May 10, the following day, Pierrecius was arrested and charged with child neglect causing great bodily harm. During her court appearance later that day, the Bradenton Police Department confirmed that the child’s death was preventable.
Police spokesperson Meredith Censullo stated, “I’m very comfortable saying that this party shouldn’t have happened there in the first place,” adding that the gathering was primarily for adults and not suitable for children.
Evidence and Investigation
Security camera footage from the scene contradicted the accounts given by Pierrecius and other witnesses, leading investigators to conclude that Pierrecius had not been properly supervising her daughter. Censullo mentioned that while it was a difficult decision to charge a grieving mother, it was clear that neglect played a role in the tragic event.
Legal Proceedings
Pierrecius remains in jail and is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on June 26. The State Attorney’s Office has not yet determined whether the charges will be upgraded or changed. The investigation into the drowning continues as police review the details surrounding the incident.
The child’s death has sparked discussions on the importance of supervision and safety at social gatherings involving children, particularly around bodies of water.
