“A miss of the eyes.”
This was how grieving Sea Lots residents yesterday described the tragic drowning of two-year-old AJ Charles in a swimming pool in the area.
Charles, who lived with his 33-year-old mother and other relatives at Production Avenue, Sea Lots, was found unresponsive in the private above ground pool around 2.30 pm yesterday.
The owner of the property where the pool is located, expressed sympathy for the grieving family as she speculated that AJ may have wandered into the yard unsupervised and had been attracted to the pool.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said the toddler would have most likely walked off the main street into her yard, and would have ridden a bicycle —used by many of the small children in the community—down to the back of her house where the pool is situated.
This was not disputed by a relative of AJ and other villagers who said many of the younger children were allowed to roam freely, playing with each other in most of the open homes.
One man smiled briefly as he said, “You does hadda go and look for your child when yuh ready ... sometimes in more than one house.”
Several people described AJ as a fun, smiling, and happy, go-lucky little boy.
The sense of loss hung heavy yesterday as scores of residents mourned the tragic circumstances, which they vehemently denied had occurred out of negligence.
Relatives and residents alike spoke of the love the entire community has for the children in the area, including AJ.
An elderly man said although the child was only two, “He moves like he is ten!”
“He quick like that,” another exclaimed.
They both agreed that what happened to the toddler was unfortunate and tragic, but said it was no fault of anyone’s as the yard where the pool is located is always secured.
AJ was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital by relatives after he was pulled from the pool but was pronounced dead on arrival.
