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Oxnard infant drowns in bucket
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More from Other NewsAn 11-month-old boy died Thursday after falling head-first into a five-gallon paint bucket filled with a few inches of water, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's office.
Leo Hernandez, of Oxnard, died of asphyxia by drowning, said James Baroni, chief investigator at the medical examiner's office.
Hernandez was throwing toys in the water when he fell over into the bucket, according to the examiner's office.
The mother was at work and the father was asleep, said Michael Tellez, deputy medical examiner.
The father, whose name the office withheld, found Hernandez shortly after noon Thursday.
Within minutes after an emergency call about 12:20 p.m., a fire engine and ambulance responded to the accident in the 4600 block of Concord Way, said Deborah Shane, a spokesperson for the Oxnard Fire Department.
Hernandez was brought to St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. He was pronounced dead at 1:12 p.m. after several failed attempts to revive him, the medical examiner's office said.
In the past 10 years, 10 children ages 2 and younger have drowned in the county, the office said.
Hernandez, however, was the first to accidentally drown in a five-gallon bucket.
A label that warns of drowning was on the bucket, the office said.
Posted by hotwildflower on June 1, 2007 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was thinking the same thing, but trying not to place blame. Some parents think if they are within a confined area they are safe and don't see the hidden dangers such as this.
Posted by Anita_Corona on June 1, 2007 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with hotwildflower. I'm sure he's not the first or last parent/person who falls asleep while the child is playing around the house. And it's true about the hidden dangers around the house. At times parents let kids play around and notice that the child is not making any noise then they go see what's going on. An accident can happen whether the parent is alert or not. Like my mother said once, if there were a book on accidents, it be three stories high. So so sad.
Posted by bugmenot on June 1, 2007 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God's job is to forgive.
Posted by vandopsis on June 1, 2007 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As the father of an 8 month old boy I had an immediate sick feeling when I read this story. My wife and I do not let our boy out of our sight for even a moment for exactly this reason. Little ones get into everything!
I feel so bad for the family it's impossible to put into words. Please try and forgive yourself Mr. Hernandez, accidents happen with kids. This one is just the worst sort of accident. Kiss your little boy goodbye and keep him safely in your heart.
Posted by aejere on June 1, 2007 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is sad I am a mother of 3 and when they were at 11 months old have taken naps while they were a sleep next to me but I am a light sleeper so if my kids got up I would know. I just hope the family can get through this
Posted by eriksaltman on June 1, 2007 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It was an accident! It wasn’t intentional! Can you just wonder what the father must feel and will never forget all of his life?
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on June 1, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is interesting to note that they provided the name of the child, but not the name of either parent. I have an interest because I'd like to see where these parents fall within areas of certain databases that track sociological factors, including language, as relevant indices in cases of child abuse or neglect.
Based on what information has been presented, I believe that this may rise to the level of criminal negligence as covered within the scope of the California Penal Code, Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
Of course, we don't have enough facts to even render an intelligent opinion at this time.
Posted by Valerinajs on June 1, 2007 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My heart goes out to the mother...the father as well, it will be a mistake he will regret for the rest of his life. However, he should have been watching the child, not sleeping. That is what coffee and red bull are for if necessary. Being a parent is a 24-7 job, the child ALWAYS being priority over your own needs.
Posted by ThinkingForMySelf on June 1, 2007 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Because of drownings in 5 gallon buckets as in this incident, there is a law or regulation I had to know about when testing for my contractors license. Basically, at the job site, when a bucket is emptied, we are required to punch holes sufficient to prevent water accumulating. I don't think that applies to home owners though, but not sure.
I've raised several kids and know how something that seems so innocuous at first can turn deadly in seconds.
Curtain draw strings that become a noose, a chest of drawers with one open for the kid to climb up and have fall upon them, dishwashers, where many still put knives pointing up. I heard where kids fall on the knives, piercing the heart. TVs stacked on dressers, or tvs stacked on tvs, this is so easy for a little one to tip over on them self. Sleeping with a baby, or just having the baby on your bed, then the baby rolls over and gets stuck between the mattress and wall. That is a tricky one to pull the kid out without wounding the baby.
I bet if any of you were to give your place a critical look over, you could find at least 5 hot spots for disaster for a little one in a few minutes.
I feel awful for this father, and the family. Let this death not go in vain, but look within your household and that of those who have little ones to prevent a similar accident, saving a life.
Posted by BeaHappi on June 1, 2007 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a really sad story - my heart goes out to the family. God bless.
Posted by kali.moore on June 1, 2007 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's truly unfortunate, the death of a child. however, it is also to those who are so quick to judge what happened as they were not there. All I know, is that for a lot of families in this community, parents are having to work a lot to pay for the outrageous mortgages and I can just picture a father, who possibly works at night, watching the children while the mother works during the day and accidentally drifting off to sleep for 5 minutes and waking up to see his on upside down in a bucket. The guilt will probably never leave him. This was NOT done intentional and I hope that not only do others around forgive him, but that he has it in his heart to forgive himself. May God and peace be w/ the family.
Posted by Valerinajs on June 1, 2007 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe ThinkingForMyself posted a very valid comment. It's so true, and I'll definatley be taking a close look at my house when I get home from work today. I feel for the family right now, especially the mother. She didn't have a choice here, the father did however, and he chose to take a nap instead of drink a cup of coffee or a red bull. Obviously that will be a choice that haunts him for the rest of his life, so I feel for him as well. Parenting is a 24/7 job though, and no matter how baby-proof your home may be, a child, especially an active 11-month old, needs constant supervision.
Posted by bwall on June 1, 2007 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so devestating, it rips my heart out. I just had a baby 4 months ago and it's so scary that accidents can happen. How horrifying for the parents, I am so sorry. I hope you find comfort in the Lord.
Posted by Tom_Johnston on June 1, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When you read a story like this its easy and maybe natural to look to the parents for some kind of blame...nothing in this story gives one any reason to do that....people doze off, kids get out of the crib/playpen whatever...it's very sad, but it happens.
Prevention is the cure for these things...as "ThinkingForMySelf" noted about contractors putting holes in buckets, education goes a long way. I'm not sure laws or mandatory classes would help...but if they save even one infants life...might it be worth the effort??
Posted by imdunnfor on June 1, 2007 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is far too easy to be judgmental in cases like these. I firmly believe all the negative comments are from people who are not parents or not being honest with themselves. As parents I'm sure we all have been in situations that could've been harmful to our children. I can only sympathise with the parents situation. The loss of a child shouldn't be coupled with the judgement of others. A similar thing could happen to any one.
Posted by My2Cents on June 1, 2007 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so tragic that it makes me ache... My most heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family.
I consider myself a responsible & assertive parent. Even so, I've experienced some close calls... Close calls that were prevented from reoccuring by locking a door. It's these simple preventative measure--like the holes in the 5-gallon bucket--that need to be continually shared.
God Bless this family...
Thank you-->Tom_Johnston for the great safety tip. Not something I would have read in Dr. Spock's books.
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