There is a “strong possibility” that criminal charges will be filed in the case of an Ohio toddler who drowned in a neighbor’s above-ground pool after wandering off while her mother slept, police admit.
The announcement comes as Oregon, Ohio police defend their actions after being called to the area just an hour before the youngster died.
On October 4, Marcus Anthony Hall, two, was found at the bottom of the above-ground pool.
The investigation revealed that officers responded to the home for a report of an unattended child and spoke with the mother before leaving her and the children in the home.
‘When our first officer got there he tried to make contact with the parent but it took a few minutes because she was asleep. She eventually woke up and came to talk to the officers at the back door,’ Oregon Police Chief Brandon Begin told DailyMail.com.
‘The officer saw the child and the dog in the house. He spoke to the mother for several minutes and informed her about the safety measures she must take to ensure the safety of her children. She was alert and coherent while the officer spoke to her, and with the information officers had at the time of the call there were no signs of further danger.’
Police went to the family’s home on October 4 after receiving a call about an unattended child just an hour before two-year-old Marcus Anthony Hall was found at the bottom of an above-ground pool.
Oregon Police Chief Brandon Begin told Dailymail.com that ‘At this point, the case is under further investigation and there is a strong possibility that charges will be filed’
“If there were signs that there was danger to the children in the home, the officer would have taken steps to contact Lucas County Children Services to come out and assess the situation. The officers left the scene after speaking with the mother who never mentioned that her two-year-old was missing,” Begin said.
While there is no set policy in place for when to involve children’s services, Begin said the standard used by officers is if there is immediate danger to the children.
The police left the area and the children with the mother. An hour later, around 11:30 a.m., officers were called back to the area for Hall’s reported drowning.
‘This is a heartbreaking situation that has greatly affected the family, the officers of my agency and the community. We all mourn the loss of a young boy in a very tragic accident, which was avoidable with the correct safety measures,’ Begin told DailyMail.com.
‘I really hope that this situation will open the eyes of other parents and those who have swimming pools to the dangers involved in this situation and that everyone takes the steps to ensure the safety of children in the community.’
A complaint was filed with the city, as Ohio law requires every private pool to be enclosed by a fence. It is currently unclear whether charges have been filed against the mother or the neighbor
The boy’s father, Anthony Hall, described Marcus – nicknamed ‘Mar Mar’ – as ‘a cool little guy’
Hall’s sleeping mother has not been named or criminally charged. Begin, however, said charges could be filed in the case.
‘At this stage the matter is being further investigated and there is a strong possibility that charges may be laid. The issue with the pool fence is a zoning issue and the City of Oregon Building and Zoning Department has been notified of the situation and they are handling the end of it,’ he said.
Hall drowned in a white above-ground pool with a small ladder. While the yard was fenced, the pool itself did not have a fence around it.
A complaint was filed with the city, as Ohio law requires every private pool to be enclosed by a fence. It is currently unclear whether charges have been filed against the mother or the neighbor.
Children’s services are investigating the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death, police said.
The two-year-old just celebrated his second birthday in July.
The boy’s grieving father Anthony Hall said: ‘He was a lovely guy,’ adding his son will be remembered for his smile.
Baby Marcus’ father, Anthony, posted this photo on Facebook on Friday and captioned it: ‘He would be my lil contractor. very smart boy’
Hall with his older sister in an October 1 post on dad’s Facebook page with the caption: ‘Oldest to youngest’
A neighbor called 911 when she saw one of the children brought home. The mother called police an hour later to say she couldn’t find Marcus – who was drowning in the neighbour’s pool
Hall posted this tribute to his son on Facebook on Sunday, saying: ‘Made his video for the funeral which was difficult…’ Marcus’ funeral will be held on October 10
A funeral service is set for Oct. 10, and Hall has set up a GoFundMe seeking help with expenses. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I’ll try the best way,” he wrote. So far, the campaign has raised $1,980 of its $2,500 goal.
“My name is Anthony Hall, Marcus’ father,” the page read. “I just want my baby to rest, I can’t imagine what was going through his mind during all of this.”
Hall also posted on Facebook thanking those who donated and supported the family through the tragedy.
He said that he broke down every time he saw a picture of his son.
“It doesn’t help that I have to wake up every morning and see the neighbor’s pool where it happened,” Hall wrote. “Still with a ladder in it.”
‘Strong possibility’ of charges in death of Ohio toddler who wanders off and drowns while mom was sleeping – as cops defend actions after being called to the house an hour earlier
