WASHINGTON — In a Saturday news conference, Montgomery County officials identified the toddler who drowned in Lake Whetstone in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
A passer-by pulled 2-year-old Malik Bojang from the water on Friday evening only minutes after the child was reported missing. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The autopsy is set for Sunday, according to Capt. Paul Starks, spokesman for Montgomery County police, who spoke at Saturday’s news conference. He said there is no foul play suspected.
“In fact, Malik’s family did everything right,” said Capt. Starks. “When they noticed that he was missing, they immediately began notification so police and fire rescue could get there quickly to assist them in the search.”
Pete Piringer, a spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, said that because it is so early in the swimming season, parents should be extra vigilant when supervising children in pools, lakes or other bodies of water.
“Water is particularly treacherous at this time of year,” said Piringer. “There is no substitution for supervision when it comes to kids being around water. It only takes a few moments of inattention or distraction [that] can result in a tragedy.”
Piringer shared the following tips to keep kids safe near and in water:
- Learn CPR.
- Teach children how to swim.
- Watch out for the “dangers toos” — too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
- Always have a phone nearby that you can access 911 in an emergency.
- Know where your children are at all times.
- Never leave a child unattended in the water or in a pool area.
- Don’t be distracted. If you leave the pool area or water side, take the child with you.
- Don’t rely on substitutions, like flotation devices or inflatable toys. The devices could suddenly shift position or lose air or slip out from underneath the child, and leave the child in a dangerous situation.
WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report.