Toddler drowns in family pool

MENDON - A 20-month-old Mendon boy drowned Friday night in a backyard swimming pool at his home.

Evan Quinn, the son of James and Karen (Depweg) Quinn, 312 S. Washington St., was rushed to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, where he was pronounced dead about 10:45 p.m.

James Quinn called Mercer County 911 at 9 p.m. to report family members could not locate the toddler. He said the boy had been on the patio with the family and disappeared when they were momentarily distracted. The family checked the above-ground pool and surrounding area but could not find him.

Mercer County Sheriff's deputies requested Mendon firefighters be called to assist with the search. Fearing the toddler might have wandered into a nearby cornfield, an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter equipped with thermal imaging equipment was placed on stand-by. The Celina Police Department K-9 unit also was called.

Responders searched the area and rechecked the pool. A firefighter jumped into the pool after a responder noticed what appeared to be a foot.

"The water in the pool was not dirty, but it was very cloudy and visibility was poor," sheriff Jeff Grey said. "The firefighter could not see the child in the water and had to be directed to his location in the middle of the pool."

Grey praised the efforts of Mendon firefighters who immediately began CPR.

"Those guys did everything possible to bring him back," the sheriff added. "But Evan had been in the pool too long."

Concerned neighbors and friends of the Quinn family assisted with the search. A Rockford unit of Mercer County Emergency Medical Services also responded to the scene.

An investigation into the incident is continuing, but the sheriff noted there is no indication or suspicion that the drowning is anything but a tragic accident.

In addition to his parents, Evan is survived by two brothers and a grandmother.

Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater has charge of arrangements.