Young Stoughton Girl Drowns in Pool
Young Stoughton Girl Drowns in Pool Save Email Print
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Thursday, July 3, 2008 --- 2:40 p.m.

NBC 15's news partner WIBA reports that a 3-year-old Stoughton girl has died after drowning in a backyard pool. It happened at a residence in the 1600 block of Jackson Street around 7:30 last night.

Stoughton police say the coroner ruled the death as accidental drowning. Emergency workers did perform CPR on the young child, who then was taken by med flight to UW Hospital, where she died.

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Posted by: Dana Location: Mesa, Arizona on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I am a friend of Mari's, (a good friend of this couple)You people are losing sight about this whole situation! This young couple lost their daughter, and you are arguing with each other about swim lessons, safety, typo's, and who to blame. "KEY WORD" "ACCIDENT" an accident means exactly that, an accident! My heart aches for you and your loss. God Bless You in your time of grieving.
Posted by: Catherine on Jul 7, 2008 at 05:02 PM
To Anonymous: I apologize I wasn't aware that I'm not allowed to make typing errors. My child is 4 and I am so sorry that I hit the "3" key instead. I will watch my keys next time. But thank you for picking up on that!
Posted by: Noah on Jul 7, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Ummm Anonymous? S at 1:23pm said that they do have a fence around their pool. So I guess at least one family on the planet had a fence around their alleged blow-up pool. Or...do you not know as much as you think you do????
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 6, 2008 at 10:39 PM
We are talking about a blow up pool people. So before you attack anyone most people with blow up pools do not have fences!
Posted by: Laura Location: Madison on Jul 6, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Catherine: Did you ever think that this accident may had occured in a low depth pool? One that the water did not even go above her waist? She may have slipped and hit her head. She may have even had water wings on. I don't know the exact circumstances, but you are assuming that this happened in a in ground pool. You should not assume things like this. Accidents happen...You can not predict the outcome of a situation like this. Esspecially working in a hospital, I have learned this.
Posted by: S on Jul 6, 2008 at 01:23 PM
I also know this family and will be seeing them tomorrow. To Carma, Sandy and others, they did have a fence around the pool, somehow she got over or through. Please do not be so quick to judge this famiy or situation without knowing the facts. They are very good parents. It was a horrible accident. I am so sorry for the loss.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Jul 6, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Catherine, I think you missed the point of what Mary was saying; we need to help one another, not critisize and think it won't ever happen to us, as it very well may. I'm also concerned that you said your daughter could get herself to the side if she fell in, has she ever fallen in? There is a difference between controlled time to get yourself to safety and the actual accident. And the first entry you said she has turned 4, and now you say 3. This girl was 3, and none of us know if she had swim lessons or not. Please hold these people in your heart!
Posted by: Catherine Location: Madison on Jul 6, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Mary, I am not a swim instructor. I had simply stated that my 3 yr old is in swim lessons right now and has the ability to get herself back to the side of the pool if she jumps or falls in. Its one of the safety skills that she has learned over the last year at SwimWest.
Posted by: Carma on Jul 6, 2008 at 09:51 AM
So sorry for the loss. My thought would be if you own a pool, have should have it locked so young ones, especially others from the neighborhood don't sneak in. A kid who live 6 blocks down went in a persons pool and was found later by the owners. So lucky they got to him in time. They had the area secured so no others could get in without their knowledge.
Posted by: Sandy Location: Madison on Jul 6, 2008 at 07:59 AM
To "j": No one is being rude. I just hope this accident opens the eyes of other parents! If you're going to own a pool you HAVE to be responsible. Gates, locks, alarms, supervision, SWIM LESSONS. It all pays off in the end.
Posted by: anonymous Location: no place on Jul 5, 2008 at 10:19 PM
I know the family very well, and i will be going to see them very soon when i can. i feel so sorry for the family.
Posted by: Mary Location: Brooklyn on Jul 5, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I too have thought of this a lot for I too have lost a child and the pain is great. I agree with Dukey, in that if you know this family, go to them and offer what it is you have to give. It's the little things that help us through these things. My husband and I did not listen to or read anything about what the media was saying about our son; it was too painful. In these kinds of death, it happens so suddenly that nobody should be blaming anybody. Do not judge them for they have judged themselves harsher than you can imagine. Catherine, have you thought of giving free swimming lessons to little tykes? These are the things that we need to do for others to make this a better safer world for all. I have found that it is the people who do and not just say, that I hold closest to my heart and so will they.
Posted by: j Location: Madison on Jul 5, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I can't believe how rude some of these comments are. There is nobody to blame, it was a tragic accident. Swimming lessons would not have helped if the child panicked. Don't you see that these comments are just adding more pain to the family???
Posted by: Nurse Location: Stoughton on Jul 5, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I'm so sorry, I was there when she was brought in. I've cried every night since for your family. Your in my prayers.
Posted by: Dukey on Jul 5, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Maybe some of you so-called neighbors and frieends should just go to the family directly and offer your help and support? What good is it going to do to say "if you need anything let us know" on an anonymous message board that a grieving family isn't going to be sitting around reading?
Posted by: Kate Location: Waunakee on Jul 5, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Wow such a tragic accident, my thoughts go out to the family. I do agree though that education is essential. Not just learning to swim but the parents should be educated as well. If you're going to have a pool, you should learn all safety precautions. I hope this makes other families take notice of their backyard pools and ensure that they are being safe.
Posted by: SANDY Location: LODI,WI on Jul 5, 2008 at 01:35 AM
[[[[[COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS]]]]] IN MADISON IS A WONDER GROUP THAT IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD IT HELPED WHEN WE HAD LOST OUR 10 YR OLD SON TO AN ACCIDENTAL DEATH MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THIS INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL WHO IS NOW WITH GOD AND ALL HIS ANGELS.
Posted by: SANDY Location: LODI on Jul 5, 2008 at 01:27 AM
THERE IS NONE TO BLAME! It was a horrible accident thats all it was, it will always be in your hearts and mind what if I did this or that differently would it have changed what happened no one will ever no your unanswered questions! But i can tell you this much for i have been through the loss of a child and it is the worst thing to ever happens to a parent or parents it will change your LIFE FOREVER, But the most important thing is to remember you have to keep on with daily living or it will distroy you as a whole and a relationships with others. The hardest time is going to be her birthday and hoilidays and the day of death. Celebrate with what few years you had with your daughter by the memories of happiness you were able to have and enjoyment she brought to all involved in her life. You know she dearly loved you, as for you too loved her unconditionally. Accidents happen for a reason. For GOD holds the decision in his own hands. NO need to blame, BETTER it and LOVE IT AS last day.
Posted by: Chris Location: Deforest on Jul 4, 2008 at 11:16 PM
There is no way to predict how a 3 yr old could react when they start to panic, become disoriented, and lose control. All the swimming lessons in the world may not have prevented this YOUNG child from this terrible situation. Such a tragedy. My family and I are so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Suzann Location: Stoughton on Jul 4, 2008 at 08:06 PM
I am a neighbor my heart hurts so much for you. If you need anything let us know. Just know that you have a group of people here that care!
Posted by: Deanna Location: Stoughton on Jul 4, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Words cannot express your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Stay strong in the Lord and place no blame - life is full of what ifs and this was a terrible terrible accident and tragedy. keep your family strong in love.
Posted by: Catherine Location: Madison on Jul 4, 2008 at 06:18 PM
To Haley: If she had been taught how to swim, she could have gotten herself back to the edge of the pool if she fell in on accident. My daughter just turned 4 and she can do that. Education is always the key in preventing these tragic accidents.
Posted by: Haley Location: Madison on Jul 4, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Swimming Lessons are important, however, I also have a 3 yr old and can see exactly how this could happen. I'm not sure swimming lessons would make any difference here...Sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Diane Location: Stoughton on Jul 4, 2008 at 02:16 AM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this little girl. She will forever be in your hearts, and now is a little Angel.
Posted by: e Location: mcguiness on Jul 3, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Our hearts are with you and your family. We are so sorry.
Posted by: Linda Location: Stoughton on Jul 3, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I am heartbroken
Posted by: mari on Jul 3, 2008 at 08:00 PM
my name is mari and i live in stoughton wi....this little girls parents are very good friends of mine...and i just want to express that my heart goes out to them.. and there little girl.im so sorry for your loss...much love -mari
Posted by: D Location: Madison on Jul 3, 2008 at 06:57 PM
This is terrible, makes you wonder where the parents were. Children like this can move so fast you cant let them out of your sight even if its for a minute
Posted by: Angela Location: Madison on Jul 3, 2008 at 06:29 PM
My heart bleeds for your family!
Posted by: Catherine Location: Madison on Jul 3, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Swimming lessons are so important this time of year. Parents, please educate your children on water safety! My kids take lessons at SwimWest right now and I feel so much safer knowing they can save themselves if need be. I am so sorry for your loss, but hope other parents can learn from this accident.
Posted by: Randi Location: Stoughton on Jul 3, 2008 at 04:19 PM
My heart goes out to your family.
Posted by: grandma M Location: mcFarland on Jul 3, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I am so sorry for your lose. May God be with you.
Posted by: Dawn Location: Stoughton on Jul 3, 2008 at 03:02 PM
i am so very sorry for your loss!
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