Fayette DA Wants Charges Against Mom In Boy's DrowningParishioners, Neighbors Found Child In Pool During Church PicnicPOSTED: 5:55 pm EDT June 8,
2008 PERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Parishioners gathered together for what was supposed to be a fun afternoon on Sunday, but the day turned tragic when a 2-year-old boy disappeared and was later found unresponsive in a pool just 300 feet away.The Fayette County district attorney's office wants charges to be filed against Donovan Barksdale's foster mother in connection with the young boy's drowning.Barksdale had wandered away from dozens of other children playing at a picnic after Sunday service at First Christian Church off Route 51 in Perry Township, Fayette County, according to state police."It's our understanding, through the course of the investigation, that a 9-year-old was allegedly watching the 2-year-old, and of course, when the adults went to eat and a query was made as to where that child was, the 9-year-old forgot that he was watching the child," District Attorney Nancy Vernon said.Troopers believe Barksdale made his way down a driveway and walked about 100 yards until he found a pool, then squeezed through some wooden fencing and jumped into the water.When adults at the picnic realized the child was missing, they asked neighbors to help look for him."By the time I got down there, people were giving him CPR," said neighbor Laura Gilmore. "I don't know if it was his dad or what. Another woman tried and a little water came out but there was no sign of life. His little arm was limp over top of his head. It was just sad. We were all praying. It was just too late."Barksdale had been placed with foster mother Jacalyn Mills at her Belle Vernon home by Auberle, a faith-based Catholic agency. Vernon is recommending that Mills be charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child."It's tragic," Vernon said. "I'm sure that Jacalyn Mills is extremely upset, but then again, 2-year-olds do have a tendency to wander, but then again, it's up to the adults to watch and protect them."The Westmoreland County Children's Bureau is handling funeral arrangements but declined to comment on the case, WTAE Channel 4's Jennifer Miele reported. Related Links: More County NewsGet RSS Headlines | Free Desktop Alert Copyright 2008 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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