Sunday, July 7, 2024–2:00 p.m.
-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
A 1-year-old infant drowned during a Fourth of July party at a home on Berkshire Lane on Thursday afternoon, according to the Rome Police Department.
According to RPD Assistant Chief Rodney Bailey, partygoers noticed the infant was missing and found her in the pool under a floating toy after a brief search.
Several people were at the home and in the pool at the time of the drowning. Emergency services were called, but 1-year-old Adeline Kate Bagwell was pronounced dead at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center on Thursday afternoon.
Friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe page to pay for her medical and funeral costs. The page raised $6,800 as of Friday afternoon.
“What was supposed to be a day of celebration turned into the worst nightmare,” the GoFundMe page said. “Adaline Kate was the most perfect little girl, she was the happiest baby and her life was taken way too soon.”
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children 1-4 years old in the United States. Following decades of decline, drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States, according to a new CDC Vital Signs study.
Over 4,500 people died due to drowning each year from 2020-2022, 500 more per year compared to 2019.
