Streamlly Original
Hidden danger in a swimming pool.
Reported by Alecia Venkataraman, Toni Mitchell, Aric Zaky, Michael Jorge
- Published: Jun 4, 2025, 8:17 PM EDT
- Updated: Dec 8, 2025, 2:53 PM EST
- Duration: 30 sec
- Views: 4
A mother revisits the hospital where joy turned to tragedy after her son J.J.—a strong swimmer—was lost in seconds to a faulty pool drain. This cinematic short, based on true events, reveals how drowning often looks nothing like we expect.
Credits
- Alecia VenkataramanCreative Director / Producer & Writer/staff/aleciavenk
- Toni MitchellReporter & Newsroom Manager/staff/toni-mitchell
- Aric ZakyWriter / Reporter/staff/aric-zaky
- Michael JorgeVideo Editor & Post Production Manager/staff/michael-jorge
- Tanya DiazProducer / VFX Artist/staff/tanya-diaz
- Rachel CapuanoPublisher / Studio Character /staff/rachel-capuano
Transcript
30 seconds. That's how long
it took for my world to fall apart.
30s for my son to go from happy, healthy
to gone.
The last time I sat
in this hospital, I was overjoyed.
And I just found out I was having a baby boy.
And we named him J.J..
J.J. knew how to swim.
We made sure of it.
We knew the statistics.
We were careful, but no one told us about the drain.
The cover was loose
and the suction strong.
JJ's arm got trapped.
We couldn't get him out.
Not until someone shut off the power.
If only I had known.
I can't bring JJ back,
but I won't let his death be in vain.
Parents need to know how to keep their kids safe.
More children, ages
1 to 4, die from drowning and from any other cause.
And for kids ages 5 to 14.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury.
Death after car crashes.
Here's how you can protect your kids around water.
Always supervise them.
Eyes on at all times.
Make sure pool drains are covered up and up to code.
Teach them to swim early and practice often.
Learn CPR. Seconds matter.