(WWJ) A Northern Michigan man is facing serious charges for allowing a little boy to go tubing without a life jacket, leading to the child’s death.
The Cheboygan County Sheriff said Willem Roe Vantielen, 77, turned himself in after Kyzer Grant, 5, drowned while being pulled in a tube behind Vantielen’s boat in Duncan Bay, about a half hour southeast of Mackinac City.
Authorities said the Sheriff’s Department was called to the scene for a child overboard on August 9. They said rescuers pulled Kyzer from about 10 feet of water, where he had been for about five minutes. CPR was administered, and he was airlifted to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he died hours later; according to the Sheriff.
“We are deeply saddened by the events of that Sunday with the community needlessly losing a 5-year-old boy. Michigan Law is clear a child that age must wear a life jacket anytime they are on this type of boat or being towed on a tube on Michigan waters,” said Sheriff Dale Clarmont. “Many people were involved in the effort to save this little boy; it’s heartbreaking.”
Both Vantielen, and Kyzer live in Cheboygan County.
The case remains under investigation. Sheriff Clarmont said the case will go to the Prosecutor’s Office for review.