Mendon toddler dies in pool accident

Mercer County Sheriff’s Department info

MENDON — Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey Saturday morning announced the investigation into the death of 20-month-old Evan Quinn of Mendon.  Mercer County Central Dispatch received a call at 9 p.m. Friday from James Quinn, the baby’s father stating that he could not find his son.

Responding deputies were told that Evan was playing with toys by an above ground pool in the backyard.  James and Karen Quinn, the parents, were on the patio watching him, but  took their attention away from the youngster for a very short time.  When they looked back, they didn’t see him.  At that time, thinking that Evan had walked around the pool, they sent one of the older children to look for him behind the pool.  When he was not located, they looked in the pool and searched the surrounding area and inside the house and could not locate him.  After 10-15 minutes of searching, they decided to call 9-1-1 for help.

Deputies requested Mendon Fire Department be paged out to assist in the search.  Responders searched the area and rechecked the swimming pool.  The swimming pool water was very cloudy and visibility into the water was poor.  A responder then noticed what looked to be a foot in the bottom of the pool.  Immediately a responder got into the water and had to be directed to the area because the visibility into the water was so reduced that even in the water he could not see the child.  The child was located on the bottom of the pool towards the middle.

Responders immediately called for an EMS squad and started CPR.  The toddler was transported to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, where he was pronounced dead.

“This is a terrible accident,” stated Sheriff Grey. “My heart goes out to the parents.  Deputies are continuing their investigation, but there is no indication or suspicion that this is anything except a tragic accident.”

At the scene assisting were Mendon Fire Department, Rockford EMS, Celina Police Department, and many friends and neighbors who came to assist in the search.