Police say a child reported missing out of Vandergriff Elementary in Fayetteville Tuesday, who was found in a swimming pool near the school, died Wednesday morning. He was six-years-old.
Police say the child was found unresponsive in the pool shortly after he went missing during recess.
Emergency medical services responded to the scene at the pool around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 7. The boy was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center and then to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Police say he died around 10 a.m. March 8.
The school released a statement after the death was reported:
The six year-old male Vandergriff Elementary School student who was missing from recess yesterday and found in a swimming pool on private property adjacent to the school died today at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, as reported by the Fayetteville Police Department. Further information about this accident will be made available by Fayetteville Public Schools to its school district community, including all employees, parents, and citizens, as we learn more and are allowed to release additional information.“We are devastated by this tragedy. Fayetteville Public Schools, Vandergriff Elementary School, and our community are grieving the loss of a young life. Our deepest sympathy is extended to this child’s parents, grandparents, extended family, and loved ones,” stated Dr. Matthew Wendt, Superintendent of Schools. “I ask the Fayetteville community to keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.”
According to police, a missing child call from Vandergriff Elementary school and the possible drowning call came in four minutes apart.