Toddler Dies Following Drowning

LORANGER (April 27, 2026)- A 22-month-old from Iowa state, in town visiting family, has died following a drowning in a neighborhood pond.

Around 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, a 911 call reported the little boy had been missing from a home on Bradley Court for about 30 minutes. A few minutes later, family members called back to report they had located the child in the neighborhood pond behind the home and they were performing CPR. As TPSO deputies and firefighters got to the scene, they continued life-saving measures until Airmed arrived to take the child to an area hospital. Unfortunately, the toddler did not survive.

While the investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, Sheriff Gerald Sticker is asking the public to join him in prayer for this family, but also reminding the public about child wandering and drowning prevention tips.

The TPSO advises always securing exterior doors with door handle covers or other safety-type locks as well as entry/exit alerts or alarms. It is also recommended to have young children start traditional swimming lessons, or survival swim classes, as early as six months old. Lastly, everyone is encouraged to receive CPR training, often offered for free, through various community organizations like the American Red Cross.

TPSO Public Information Office, pio@tpso.org‍