A 2-year-old boy died Thursday after he was found in a lake in Plantation, police said.
Read more 2026 Florida Python Challenge starts today: What to know
Plantation Police responded to a report of a missing boy at 5:35 p.m. in the 1600 block of Northwest 108th Avenue, officials said.
A family member found the child unresponsive in a lake behind a residence, removed him from the water and began CPR, police said.
When officers arrived, they took over lifesaving efforts until paramedics arrived and transported the boy to Broward Health.
Read more North Miami Beach police captain accused of recording step-daughter resigns
The 2-year-old was later pronounced deceased, police said.
According to the Florida Department of Health, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4 in the state.
Experts suggest a multifaceted approach to drowning prevention and water safety, including “layers of protection.” These include:
Read more Live updates: Today’s South Florida news
- supervision by an adult
- barriers that physically block a child from accessing bodies of water, such as fences, walls or door handles placed high so a child cannot reach
- alarms that alert when a child has opened a door
- preparedness for both kids and adults, including swim lessons from young ages and CPR training
For more on how to stay safe in the water with children, go here.
The child’s death remains under investigation.