A family is seeking justice after their 5-year-old son, Auston Wingo, Jr., drowned in the deep end of a YMCA pool nearly two years ago. The heart-wrenching incident has sparked a lawsuit against the Pulaski County YMCA, alleging negligence on the part of its employees.
On December 6, 2021, Auston, who couldn't swim, lost his life while several children were playing in the pool. The lawsuit claims that despite the increased number of children present due to virtual learning, only one lifeguard and three child care workers were on duty.
The family argues that the lifeguard failed to properly supervise the children, focusing on a cell phone while 34 kids were in the pool. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that the child care workers were not positioned adequately to oversee all the children in the water.
Tragically, it was two other children who discovered Auston unconscious in the deep end, unnoticed by any of the YMCA staff. This led to the lawsuit seeking $15 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages for the alleged negligence of the YMCA.
While the special prosecutor investigating the case determined that no criminal charges were warranted, the family believes the YMCA bears responsibility for Auston's death. They argue that the lack of proper staffing and supervision created a dangerous situation that ultimately led to their son's tragic demise.
The YMCA, on the other hand, has expressed their condolences and stated their full cooperation with the legal process. They emphasized the devastation of the YMCA staff and volunteers and their commitment to taking all allegations of wrongdoing seriously.
This lawsuit serves as a reminder of the importance of pool safety and the responsibility of YMCA staff to ensure the well-being of all children under their care. As the legal process unfolds, it will be crucial to determine whether the YMCA could have prevented this tragedy and if there are steps that can be taken to avoid similar incidents in the future.
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