INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP (WWJ) -- The investigation into the drowning death of a 4-year-old girl at an Independence Township private athletic club is being finalized.
Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Deer Lake Athletic Club around 7:30 p.m. Friday for a possible drowning.
The 4-year-old Sterling Heights girl was on the pool deck, with two men and one woman performing CPR. Deputies took over until Independence Township Fire Department paramedics arrived.
She was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the girl was in the pool with five other children, ranging in age from 6 to 12-years-old, at the time. There was no adult supervision at the time.
The two women who brought the children put several “flotation devices” in the pool. They then reportedly went to the club’s bar/restaurant area, where they ordered food and drinks.
Authorities said the women were there for about 35 minutes while the children were at the pool.
The girl was removed from the pool by her sister. The two women were then found at the bar/restaurant area.
The depth of the pool ranged from around three to five feet. Investigators reportedly saw pool toys and noodles in the area, but didn’t see any life preservers.
The pool area has a sign on each end of the pool, alerting visitors that there is no lifeguard on duty and minors under 16-years-old must have an adult present to swim, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“This is a horrific and tragic death that easily could have been avoided,” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said. “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.”
Once the investigation review is complete, it will be submitted to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.