Anderson County Child Death Investigation Task Force is investigating the death of an 18-month-old child after the child was found in the family pool Saturday morning around 10:40 am.
Anderson County EMS, Medshore EMS, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s initially responded to the 300 block of McAlister Road in Williamston in reference to the incident.
According to reports, the child was removed from the pool by his father and CPR was initiated. EMS personnel arrived on scene, provided emergency medical care and transported the child to Prisma Health Pediatric Hospital. The child was pronounced deceased at the hospital around 11:32 am.
The Anderson County Child Death Investigation Task Force was alerted and responded to the hospital and the residence to initiate the investigation.
Chief Deputy Coroner Don McCown identified the victim as Josue Hernandez, 18 -months-old, of Williamston.
Chief McCown advised that the child was apparently able to get out of the house while family members were sleeping and entered an above ground pool. The investigation indicates the child died due to freshwater drowning and there appears to be no indication of foul play.
Reports state the investigation indicates that a rear door to the residence was unintentionally opened by the family dog allowing the child to exit the residence and enter the pool.
The investigation is ongoing by the Anderson County Child Death Investigation Task Force, which is comprised of representatives of the Anderson County Office of the Coroner, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Department of Social Services, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Special Victims Unit.
