Police Say Children Were Swimming Unattended When Four-Year-Old Drowned
(OCSO, Feb 3, 2026)
Independence Township, MI – Oakland County Sheriff’s Office detectives are finalizing the investigation into the drowning death of a 4-year-old Sterling Heights girl that occurred Friday evening at a private athletic club in Independence Township.
Deputies were dispatched at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday to the Deer Lake Athletic Club, located in the 600 block of White Lake Road, for a report of a possible drowning. Upon arrival, deputies found the child on the pool deck where CPR was being administered by two adult males and a female.
Deputies immediately took over lifesaving efforts until Independence Township Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported the child to a local hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.
The investigation determined the victim was in the swimming pool with five other children at the time of the incident. The oldest child present was 12 years old. No adult supervision was present at the pool when the drowning occurred.
Investigators learned that two adult women had brought their six children, ages 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4, to the pool. After placing several flotation devices into the pool, the women left the children unattended and went to the club’s bar/restaurant area, where they ordered food and beverages. The investigation revealed the women remained in the bar/restaurant area for approximately 35 minutes while the children were left alone in the pool area.
The victim was removed from the pool by her sister, after which the two women were located in the bar/restaurant area. The pool depth varied from approximately three to five feet. Investigators observed pool toys and pool noodles in the area but did not observe any life preservers.
The pool area is posted with two signs, one at each end of the pool, stating there is no lifeguard on duty and that minors under the age of 16 are not permitted in the pool without an adult present.
“This is a horrific and tragic death that easily could have been avoided.” Sheriff 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.”
The investigation remains under review and will be submitted to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for further consideration.
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