A 6-year-old boy died Monday after falling into a pond over the weekend in Daytona Beach.
- 6-year-old boy falls into pond near apartment
- Daytona Beach Police previously said boy had died
- On Monday, police said boy was in critical condition
- On Thursday, police confirmed boy had died
Daytona Beach Police previously had said the boy was pronounced dead at Halifax Medical Center after he fell into the pond Sunday afternoon, but the department said Monday that he was still alive. Police then said several days later that the boy did, in fact, pass away Monday.
The incident happened at the Breakers Apartments at 778 Jimmy Ann Drive just before 2 p.m.
London Keene, 6, was pulled from the pond by his father, Shamari Keene, police said. Investigators said Keene and the boy were in the living room of the apartment when Keene left briefly to use the bathroom. When he returned, London was gone.
He searched the apartment, then went outside to look for him. That's when he saw the boy in the pond and called police.
The family is distraught, especially after authorities told the media he died, but then later retracted that information.
"I'll never forget that vision out of my head of him, like, lifeless in my hand, his body in my arms," Keene said.
Keene said he was in the restroom for no longer than 10 minutes, and London's grandmother was in her bedroom.
They said when they went into the living room, they thought London was hiding and playing a game, but after searching for about 20 minutes, Keene found him.
"When we came back to the complex I just saw him floating in the water. I just saw the back of his head floating in the water, and I was in denial, like that can't be him. I can't even swim, but I went, got him myself. That's my boy, that’s my baby," Keene said.
Keene said the doors were locked, and he's never gotten out before. He said within the four years he's lived at the apartment complex, London has never gone near the water while visiting with his father.
"A beautiful human being, a 6-year-old child who could've been anything. He liked to sing he loved space, basketball, he wanted to read," Keene said.
The family said London is also a young fighter.
"You could see there was never any giving up on this little boy, or he's gone. That never happened," said Jacquie Jones, London’s grandmother.
While doctors were working hard Monday to keep him alive, Keene asked for prayers and left a message for other parents.
"Hug your kids right now. Tell them you love them, because no matter how young they are, life is precious. You're here, and then you're gone," Keene said.
Police said this case was accidental, and no one will face charges.
CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to reflect that Daytona Beach Police said Thursday, Feb. 1 that the boy died Monday. Police said Sunday that he had died, then sent an update Monday morning to say that he was still in critical condition. Police confirmed Thursday the boy had died. This story was changed Thursday, Feb. 1 to reflect the update.