3-Year-Old Boy Drowns After Falling Into Pool Unnoticed

SANTA ANA — A 3-year-old Santa Ana boy drowned Wednesday afternoon after wandering out of a crowded house and apparently falling into a backyard pool, fire officials said.

The child, Pedro Leon, and at least one family member were visiting a house in the 2200 block of Flower Street when the youngster walked outside unnoticed, according to Santa Ana Fire Capt. Tom Rivas.

The boy was found in the pool about 1 p.m., and it was not clear how long he had been in the pool, Rivas said.

“It’s sketchy, but he may have been in the water up to an hour,” Rivas said, adding that the pool was clouded by “slimy green” algae and had “zero visibility.”

Police and then paramedics tried life-saving techniques, but the child died a short time later at Coastal Communities Hospital in Costa Mesa, Rivas said.

Pedro was at least the fourth child to drown in Orange County so far this year. Others who wandered into backyard or apartment swimming pools and died were 20 months old, 3 years, and 8 years old. Last year, Orange County led the nation in child drownings, with 15 deaths and 20 near-deaths.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for Orange County children, and authorities urge parents to constantly supervise youngsters near water and learn CPR and first-aid techniques.