The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) is investigating an apparent accidental drowning that occurred on Saturday at the swimming pool located within Hidden Oaks Mobile Home Park in Gainesville.
According to an ACSO release, deputies responded at 6:25 p.m. at 100 Castle Dr. to a report of a possible drowning at the Hidden Oaks Mobile Home Park community pool. Upon arrival, deputies located an unresponsive adult male submerged in the deep end of the pool.
Deputies immediately entered the water and removed the victim from the pool before initiating life-saving measures, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Alachua County Fire Rescue personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The deceased has been identified as Gildan Cornelious, 20, of Chicago, Illinois. Next of kin has been notified.
The preliminary investigation, including review of surveillance video and witness interviews, indicates Cornelious entered the deep end of the pool with an 11-year-old child. Investigators determined the child was able to safely exit the pool, while Cornelious failed to resurface. An adult who arrived moments later immediately called 911 after realizing Cornelious was underwater.
During the investigation, detectives learned that neither Cornelious nor the child knew how to swim. At this time, there is no evidence of foul play, and the incident appears to be an accidental drowning.
The District 8 Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.
Because an 11-year-old child witnessed and was directly involved in this traumatic incident, ACSO is coordinating with victim advocates to ensure appropriate counseling resources are made available.
The investigation remains active; however, no criminal activity is suspected at this time.