In a poignant reminder of the dangers posed by swimming pools to young children, a two-year-old boy from Southern California is recovering after a near-fatal drowning incident. Ezequiel Agustin, who resides in Moreno Valley, found himself at the centre of a tragic accident on March 13, when he wandered into his family’s backyard pool while unsupervised.
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Ezequiel’s mother, Rosa Agustin, who was in Mexico at the time, recounted the series of misunderstandings that led to the tragedy. She explained, “Dad thought grandma was watching him and grandma thought dad was watching him.” This miscommunication ultimately resulted in Ezequiel’s moment of independence taking a disastrous turn.
It was Yahir, Ezequiel’s seven-year-old brother, who alerted their mother about the incident. “He said, ‘Mom, mom, Ezequiel pool,’ and I said, ‘What are you saying?’” Agustin shared. The urgency of the situation became clear when she heard her husband’s frantic screams in the background, prompting an immediate rush back to Southern California.
Upon realising the gravity of the situation, Ezequiel was airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Agustin’s distress was palpable as she described her frantic journey home, exclaiming, “I’m just going crazy, going, ‘I need to go home, I need to see my baby.’”
Following the drowning incident, the family set up a GoFundMe page to assist with the overwhelming medical expenses, which included the costs associated with Ezequiel’s life-flight and ongoing care for their family of eight. The campaign highlighted the strain placed on the family during such a heartbreaking time and noted that both parents had to step away from their jobs to focus on their son’s recovery.
The GoFundMe page painted a picture of Ezequiel as a vibrant child, cherished by his family. “At just 2 years old, Ezequiel is the youngest of six children — the baby of the family, full of life, laughter, and love,” the description read. “Ezequiel is a fighter, but he has a long road to recovery ahead.”
The initial medical outlook was uncertain, with doctors encouraging Agustin to be patient, urging her to pray for her son’s recovery. “It’s sad just seeing your baby there, not being able to move, not able to get up and say, ‘Mommy, I want juice,’” she lamented, reflecting the heartache most parents would feel in such a distressing situation. Fortunately, after 11 days in ICU, Ezequiel was moved to a different ward as his condition improved.
Despite this positive development, Agustin has made it clear that the emotional weight of the incident still affects her. “It’s just hard. I still feel it, there’s a lot of pain,” she stated. However, she remains hopeful about Ezequiel’s progress, stating, “Knowing that he’s recovering, he’s doing much better now.”
In a bid to raise awareness, Agustin and her family are urging other parents and caregivers to take preventative measures around pools. They have recommended securing all access points to pools, such as installing high locks on doors and ensuring that pool alarms are functional. “Accidents like this happen in the blink of an eye,” their GoFundMe message cautioned. “Never leave a child unattended near water — not even for a second.”
As summer approaches, the family’s efforts to spread this message could be critical in preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. They hope that by sharing Ezequiel’s story, they can help other families avoid experiencing the same heart-wrenching ordeal.
As the community rallies around the Agustin family during this challenging time, it serves as an important reminder of the need for vigilance in the safety of children, particularly around water. Ezequiel’s recovery journey continues, and updates about his condition are awaited eagerly by both loved ones and supporters.