October 1, 2016 Fatal submersion of Daniel Forvil, Jr.
On November 21, 2012, 2-year-old Daniel Forvil, Jr. (DJ) experienced an unintentional submersion in the swimming pool owned and operated by The Palms of Cortez apartment complex. As a result of this incident, DJ was pronounced deceased at 14:01 hrs. on November 22, 2012.
Author: Gerald M. Dworkin
Date: August 20, 2014
On November 21, 2012, 2-year-old Daniel Forvil, Jr. (DJ) experienced an unintentional submersion in the swimming pool owned and operated by The Palms of Cortez apartment complex. As a result of this incident, DJ was pronounced deceased at 14:01 hrs. on November 22, 2012.
Prior to this incident, DJ was being supervised by DJ’s aunt Shirley who had taken DJ to the playground (adjacent to the swimming pool). Shirley had left the apartment with DJ, met her friend Lucibel in the parking lot, and then walked to the playground adjacent to the clubhouse and swimming pool area. When they arrived at the playground, she let DJ play on the playground with another girl, Mayren. While the children were playing, Shirley sat with Lucibel at a table in the pool area.
Shirley heard a commotion coming from across the pond. She then left the pool area with Lucibel and had intended to take DJ with her, but DJ didn’t want to leave. She then left DJ in the playground and went to investigate the activity across the pond.
While Shirley was across the pond investigating the commotion, Ms. Elizabeth Rocha discovered DJ floating prone in the shallow end of the pool. After some delay Rocha ran into the clubhouse to notify the staff at which point she told Mrs. Ducran (Assistant Apartment Manager) that a child was inside the pool and needed help.
According to Mrs. Ducran she was inside the leasing office in the clubhouse when a female ran in and advised her that a child was in the pool. Mrs. Ducran then ran out into the pool area and observed a small child floating face down near the east end of the pool. Mrs. Ducran immediately entered the water and removed the child from the water and placed him on the pool deck.
Ms. Susan Jenkins (office manager) came out to the pool and then helped with resuscitative efforts.
When Shirley returned to the pool area, she saw DJ lying on the pool deck with several adults around him. At that point Ms. Jenkins instructed her to get the boy’s mother.
Fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene and initiated Advanced Cardiac Life Support measures. Daniel was then transported to Blake Hospital and then transported from there to All Childrens Hospital in St. Pete.