WEST VALLEY CITY — A 2-year-old girl drowned in a bath tub in West Valley City Wednesday after her mother left the room to help another small child, and officials with the CDC state adults should closely supervise children in and around water because drowning occurs, “quickly and quietly.”
According to information from West Valley City Police Department officials, the incident is a tragic accident and no charges will be filed against the mother.
Officials said the 2-year-old girl was in the tub when her mother left the room to help another small child. When she returned, the mother found the girl underwater. Emergency responders and then hospital personnel worked for several hours to try to save the child, but she later died.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states drowning is the number two cause of death for children between the ages of one and four, second only to congenital anomalies (birth defects).
The CDC gives several tips for water safety, the first of which is to supervise children when they are in and around water.
“Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision”, be close enough to reach the child at all times. Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children, even if lifeguards are present.”
For tips from the CDC on water safety and more information about drowning, click here.
