Local

Boy drowns in Forsyth Co. apartment's pool

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 7-year-old boy drowned after going under in a South Forsyth County swimming pool.

Deputies said the child was pulled from the water by his father, but could not be saved.

"I couldn't believe my ears when this happened," said neighbor Mary Nix as she walked by the community pool in the Century Windermere Apartments.

The boy was playing at the pool at 3100 Preston Pointe Way Sunday afternoon when tragedy struck.

Investigators said his father stepped away for a moment to wipe off after being pushed into the pool.

When the man returned, he saw his son at the bottom of the pool and jumped in to pull him out.

Michelle Harding told Channel 2's Carl Willis hardly anyone realized the boy was in trouble.

"Just all of a sudden a kid started drowning in the pool," said Harding.

She said her sister and two others worked to save the child as they waited for emergency crews.

"My sister gave him CPR and she was getting water up from him, but I guess his heart just stopped beating," she said.

The boy, whose identity was not released Sunday, was pronounced dead at Northside Hospital.

Neighbors said they can't imagine the pain that his father is experiencing right now.

"He is obviously just heartbroken, and just grief-stricken," said Nix. "I can't even begin to put myself in his place."

Deputies said the child was pulled from an area of the pool that was as shallow as 3 feet.

The drowning is under investigation by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Special Victim's Unit.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office identified the boy as Stephon Alston of Cumming.