NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Two brothers drowned Wednesday night after they jumped a fence surrounding a North Lauderdale swimming pool, their mother told Local 10 News.
The boys, ages 5 and 6, were found at the bottom of the pool about 9:30 p.m. by relatives at the Silver Palms Condominiums at 200 SW 52nd Ave. Their mother, Wildine Joseph, said they didn't know how to swim.
"I tried all I can to do CPR," she screamed, clutching the fence that bordered the pool. "It didn't work."
Deputies said the brothers were taken to Northwest Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead.
A neighbor told Local 10 News she wasn't there when the incident happened, but she said there are lots of children who live in the apartment complex. She said the pool is a popular spot for them.
"More kids than adults," she said.
Broward Sheriff's Office deputies took down the yellow tape surrounding the pool about 5 a.m. Thursday.
Joseph told Local 10 News that she thinks her sons snuck out and jumped the fence after the pool closed. She said it all happened while she was sleeping.
"I'm sorry, Ja'Kye. I'm sorry, Branario," Joseph said.
Homicide detectives are asking anyone who might have seen the boys as they made their way to the pool to call authorities.
BSO's Child Protective Investigations Section removed the victims' 4-month-old and 1-year-old siblings from the home as part of their investigation.
Anyone with information about the drownings is asked to call Detective Barbara Dyer at 954-321-4262. Anonymous information can be made by calling Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.