Murrieta 2-Year-Old Dies After Drowning in Family Pool

A Murrieta family is mourning the drowning death of their 2-year-old boy, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Zachary Nahsohn was pronounced dead at 1:36 a.m. Tuesday at Loma Linda University Hospital in Loma Linda, according to Cpl. Randy Naquin with the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.

The initial drowning was reported at about 3 p.m. Saturday in the 33000 block of Salvia Lane, Naquin wrote in an emailed response to Patch.

“It is unsure exactly what occurred but a built-in spa was involved...” Naquin wrote. “The coroner determined it was an accidental drowning.”

Funeral preparations are underway for the boy who is survived by his parents and five brothers and sisters, according to a Facebook page set up in his honor.

Paramedics with the Murrieta Fire Department responded immediately Saturday to the family home in the Mapleton area and administered aggressive treatment in an effort to save the boy, Murrieta fire Chief Matt Shobert said.

“It was very tragic,” Shobert said.

The boy was rushed to Loma Linda University Medical Center—Murrieta Saturday before he was transported to the main campus in Loma Linda, according to Shobert.

Zachary would have turned 3 in July, according to the Facebook page. He wanted yellow balloons at his birthday party, which is why yellow balloons were hanging in his honor near the family's home on Salvia Lane.

To avoid a similar tragedy, Shobert encouraged parents and caregivers to make sure someone is appointed to watch children at all times—even if it means rotating the responsibility.

“When people hear of someone drowning in a pool they think there is lots of screaming and yelling in the process, but the truth of the matter is a lot of times in a drowning scenario it is total silence—you don’t hear it,” Shobert said.

He also advised learning CPR.

“Use vigilance, hope for the best but prepare for the worst; learn those valuable skills in the event the worst-case scenario happens.”