ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

Mum shares warning after her son, 5, drowns in backyard pool

It's every parent's worst nightmare! - by Amber Wemyss
  • 20 Aug 2019
Mum shares warning after her son, 5, drowns in backyard pool

A mother has shared a warning to other parents after her five-year-old son's lifeless body was pulled from pool.

Maribeth Leeson had thought Adam would be safe at the party surrounded by adults. But after being distracted by her daughter the unthinkable happened.

Sharing a post on Facebook, Leeson simply wrote 'My son drowned 3 days ago. His limp, gray, lifeless body was pulled from the pool and it was every mother's worst nightmare. 

The mum-of-five went on to explain that a million thoughts went through her head as she stumbled around screaming.

'I saw my dead baby on the ground. I thought about his twin brother and how could his life go on without his twin. I saw my 10-year-old son, hysterically sobbing, in his bright blue swim trunks, his beautiful tan skin glistening with pool water still. His life ruined because he just watched his brother die, drowned in the same pool where he was playing.

'I saw my sassy little 3-year-old daughter, in her pink unicorn and rainbow suit, just watching me, confused. And how was I going to tell my husband that I let out perfect 5-year-old son drown??'

As Kleeson struggled to come to terms with what she had seen, one of the other party-goers had thankfully begun CPR, ultimately saving the boys life.

However, the distraught mother thought that even if he could be saved, it was too late.

'I was sure machines were going to be doing his living for him,' she wrote.

Supplied - Facebook
Supplied - Facebook

Incredibly, little Adam has made a full recovery and has even been swimming again with his mum.

In sharing her post, Leeson wrote that the reason she has shared her story so publicly is to raise awareness of child drownings.

'This happened in a pool full of people. A pool full of ADULTS,' she wrote.

'I've read so many stories about kids slipping away from their parents and getting into a pool, to be found drowned shortly later. I've never considered the possibility that my child could drown right in front of people who were watching him bob up and down from the bottom of the pool to just below the surface, but didn't think he was struggling because he looked like he was PLAYING'.

Maribeth Leeson

Leeson continued by saying she could understand why the adults around her boy didn't recognise that he was drowning, admitting that she too thought he was just playing.

'This was 100% preventable. The fault was MINE,' she added, explaining that there are three key points she has taken from the incident.

'I'm sharing this because I want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Before going to any pool, first make sure your kids know not to get in until the adult who is responsible for them is ready to watch them.'

'Second, KNOW THE SIGNS OF STRUGGLE!'

'Third, know CPR.'

  • News
  • Real Life
Amber Wemyss
Amber Wemyss
Amber is a Features Writer for that's life! Her work has also been published with 7News, New Idea, Practical Parenting, Kidspot, Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Mirror, Pick Me Up, Real People, Chat and Daily Star.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

Gone for 13 minutes – then my boy came back to life!

5-year-old boy tragically dies on family holiday

5-year-old boy tragically dies on family holiday

Mum’s heartbreaking warning – The story that could save your child

Mum’s heartbreaking warning – The story that could save your child

Hero teen: when Brad saw a stranger drowning he jumped in.

Hero teen: when Brad saw a stranger drowning he jumped in.

{headline}

{headline}

Former sports star drowns whilst swimming in his hometown

Former sports star drowns whilst swimming in his hometown

Holiday horror: Was this Aussie mum murdered?

Holiday horror: Was this Aussie mum murdered?

Woman witnesses drowning tragedy while filming herself swimming

Woman witnesses drowning tragedy while filming herself swimming

{headline}

{headline}

Toddler tragically drowns in pool after chasing puppy

Toddler tragically drowns in pool after chasing puppy

You'll never guess how this clever kid tries to sneak into the pool!

You'll never guess how this clever kid tries to sneak into the pool!

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!