Autistic Child Drowns In Neighbor's Pool

The 11-year-old autistic boy was found in his neighbor's swimming pool Saturday.

(Florence, Ky.) - An 11-year-old autistic boy drowned in what the Boone County Sheriff’s Office is calling it a tragic accident.

Investigators say Mamadou Ba ventured outside of his family’s home on Rose Petal Drive on Saturday afternoon, June 29 about 20 minutes before his family realized he was missing. 911 was called and a search started immediately.

The family went to a neighbor’s residence and asked that they check their yard and their backyard pool.

“The neighbor walked out onto their back deck and immediately witnessed Madou submerged in the pool. The neighbor jumped off of the deck and retrieved an unconscious Madou from the pool and immediately began CPR,” the sheriff’s office said.

The boy was rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Florence where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

“Early indications suggest that this is nothing more than a tragic accident. Investigators learned that Mamadou was drawn to water and that Mamadou had taken his shirt off prior entering his neighbor’s backyard. Lastly, it’s believed that Mamadou jumped over a shared fence with his neighbor before entering the pool.”