A Georgia woman has been charged following the tragic drowning of her two-year-old grandson at a pool in Roswell. Emelisa Paz-Santos, 44, faces serious charges of involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children in the second degree, as revealed by Fulton County jail records. The incident occurred on June 21 during a social gathering at the Harbor Landing clubhouse pool, where the young child, Axel Delgado, drowned.
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Emergency responders were alerted to the scene after reports of a drowning at the clubhouse pool, part of the Lake House at Martin’s Landing complex. Upon their arrival, authorities found bystanders attempting to perform CPR on Axel. Unfortunately, despite their efforts and subsequent medical assistance, the child succumbed to his injuries and passed away the following day in hospital.
Community members have expressed their sorrow in the wake of this tragedy. Mary Emily Landers, a resident of the area, voiced her condolences, stating, “I’m feeling really, really sorry for the family. As they navigate that, I hope they feel the support from the community, both within this community, [the] apartment community, and also outside of it. It truly is such a loss.”
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death involved reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses present at the gathering. According to police reports, it was determined that Paz-Santos had “failed to provide adequate care and supervision” for her grandson, which led to his drowning.
Paz-Santos turned herself in to the police on July 14, prior to the announcement of her charges. Her hearing revealed that her bond had been set at £27,000 ($35,000) for the manslaughter charge and £4,000 ($5,000) for the child cruelty charge. Furthermore, she is currently being held on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold, suggesting that her immigration status may also be under scrutiny.
The Roswell Police Department has urged anyone with information relating to this case to come forward. They have made resources available for those wishing to assist in the ongoing investigation, providing contact numbers for both the department and Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta.
As the community continues to come to terms with this tragedy, the loss of Axel has raised poignant discussions about the responsibilities and care required when supervising young children around potentially dangerous environments, such as swimming pools. The investigation remains open as authorities seek to gather more insights into the series of events that led to this devastating outcome.
As our understanding of this incident develops, the local community rallies in support of Axel’s family as they navigate through their grief during this profoundly challenging time. The tragic loss has spurred conversation among residents regarding water safety and the importance of vigilant supervision when children are involved.
A spokesperson from the Roswell Police Department has been approached for further comment; however, no immediate response has been received at this time. The investigation continues, and updates will be shared as information becomes available.