More Details Released After Bergen County Boy, 4, Drowns In Pool

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said a 4-year-old boy had drowned in a swimming pool on Friday night, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo released more details on Saturday.

Prosecutors said police responded on Friday night around 5 p.m. to a 911 call from Heidi Lane. The child was taken to Valley Hospital and ultimately pronounced dead.

On Saturday, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos A. Rendo and the Borough Council made a statement: "It is a sad day today in Woodcliff Lake as we grieve the passing of a young resident who drowned in his backyard pool. Our deepest condolences to the family. Our entire community offers comfort and support. As the family grieves, please respect their privacy.

"We thank our heroic police officers, Tri-Boro volunteer ambulance personnel, ALS Services, and the fire department who tried to revive the young boy. Please join us in a prayer for all."

Parents around the country have told countless stories about how children can get into trouble in the water in just a few seconds, even with many other adults around, and reminded parents that drowning can be quiet.

One mom in 2018 raised awareness around the country, talking about how her son drowned during a family vacation after he slipped out of a room where numerous families, including the families of doctors, were chatting and cleaning up. It happened in seconds, she said.

50 Drowning Deaths

Late last month, Rep. Josh Gottheimer came to a pool in Ridgewood to announce a new Safe Swimming Strategy. In 2022, at least 50 people died in New Jersey after drowning in swimming pools or natural water, Gottheimer's office said.

In North Jersey alone, the 2022 drowning deaths included a 55-year-old River Vale man who drowned in his backyard pool, a 7-year-old girl who drowned in a backyard Teaneck pool, a 1-year-old boy who drowned in a backyard pool in Paramus, and two teenage brothers who drowned in a Bayonne school pool.

Yet, some cities still do not offer affordable swim lessons, or a location for affordable lessons, within their borders.

Last year, in response to a teen's drowning in Maplewood, two experts suggested that it was imperative for cities to have a public pool where children from all income groups can learn to swim.

Gottheimer's office noted that research shows that 64 percent of Black American children and 45 percent of Hispanic children have low-to-no swimming ability.

This summer, amid a lifeguard shortage, numerous drowning deaths have also been reported at beaches at the Jersey Shore and elsewhere.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-14.

Legislation In Memory Of Virginia Graeme Baker, 7

Gottheimer's office said an average of 371 children drown in pools and spas every year and there are an average of 6,300 non-fatal drowning injuries that need emergency department treatment.

Gottheimer and Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-25) recently announced their sponsoring of the bipartisan VGB Reauthorization Act to bolster safety standards for public swimming pools and spas, and promote awareness to prevent pool-related injuries and deaths.

The law is named after Virginia Graeme Baker, the 7-year-old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker, who died in 2002 after being pulled underwater by the drain of a hot tub connected to a pool.

The VGB Reauthorization Act will provide federal investments for swim lessons nationwide, the office said.

Gottheimer also encouraged parents to enroll their children in free or reduced cost swimming lessons at a local YMCA, USA Swimming Chapter, or Parks and Recreation department.

"I also think it’s important that our schools teach about water safety," Gottheimer said. "Our young children go to Safety Town to learn about fire, bicycle, and street safety and our high schoolers take drivers ed. Shouldn’t we want our kids to have classes on water and swimming safety, too? This summer, we need to do everything we can to make sure not one more child or adult dies from drowning."

Gottheimer made his announcement last month in Ridgewood at the town’s Graydon Pool, a historic site that goes back to 1918, the office said, when the town first dammed the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook.

Local Editor Nicole Rosenthal contributed to this story.