Two women could face criminal charges after leaving six young children unattended in a swimming pool while they visited a restaurant and bar, leading to the drowning death of a 4-year-old girl at an Oakland County athletic club last week.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case for potential charges following the tragic incident at Deer Lake Athletic Club in Independence Township. The children, ranging in age from 4 to 12 years old, were left alone in the pool for approximately 35 minutes when the drowning occurred Friday night.
Children left alone for 35 minutes
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the two women brought the six children to the club and placed pool toys and noodles in the water before leaving the pool area to order food and drinks. The children’s ages were 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 years old.
The 4-year-old girl’s sister pulled the child from the pool after discovering her underwater. Emergency responders transported the young girl to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The pool at Deer Lake Athletic Club ranges in depth from 3 to 5 feet and has no lifeguard on duty. Posted signs clearly warn that no lifeguard is present and state that children younger than 16 must be supervised in the pool area.
Expert calls actions ‘child neglect’
Steve Dolnut, a former Detroit police assistant chief, condemned the women’s actions as neglectful and avoidable.
“I don’t care how many kids you have, to leave kids unattended in a pool, granted, the oldest one is 12, and to throw a noodle in there, but not a life jacket or have someone observing, that’s child neglect at the bare minimum,” Dolnut said.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard also characterized the death as tragic and preventable. The sheriff’s office noted that while pool toys and noodles were available in the water, no life preservers were left with the children during the unsupervised period.
Investigation details emerge
The incident occurred on a Friday evening while the club’s restaurant and bar were open for business. Investigators said the two women were away from the pool area for approximately 35 minutes before the drowning was discovered.
Deer Lake Athletic Club is located at 6167 White Lake Road in Clarkston, within Independence Township in northern Oakland County. The private athletic club has operated in the community since 1973 and offers fitness facilities, racquet sports, and multiple swimming pools as part of its family-oriented membership amenities.
The case has renewed concerns about water safety and adult supervision at recreational facilities across the Detroit metro area. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among young children, particularly in situations involving unsupervised access to pools.
Legal implications under review
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has not announced a timeline for a charging decision in the Deer Lake Athletic Club drowning. Prosecutors are reviewing evidence gathered by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to determine whether charges will be filed against the two women involved. Potential charges could include child endangerment or other felony offenses, depending on the circumstances and the prosecutor’s evaluation of the evidence.
Under Michigan law, child abuse and endangerment charges may apply when a caregiver’s actions or omissions place a child in a situation that poses an unreasonable risk of harm. Investigators have noted that warning signs were posted at the pool stating there was no lifeguard on duty and that children under 16 must be supervised, factors that could be considered as part of the prosecutor’s review.
Similar cases in Michigan have resulted in criminal charges following child drownings. In 2025, an Emmet County woman was charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse after her infant son drowned, according to court records and law enforcement officials.
Deer Lake Athletic Club issued a brief statement following the incident. In a statement reported by People magazine, the club said, “Emergency services were contacted immediately, and staff members responded in accordance with established safety and emergency protocols.” The club also said it is cooperating with authorities and declined to comment further.
Prosecutors weigh charges in athletic club drowning
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office will continue reviewing evidence collected by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office before deciding whether to file formal charges against the two women.
State data show that drowning remains a significant risk for young children in Michigan. According to the Michigan Fatality Review Program, 18 children ages 0 to 17 died in accidental drowning incidents statewide in 2023, with many cases involving a lack of direct adult supervision. Investigators in the Deer Lake Athletic Club case have noted that flotation toys were present in the pool, but no life-saving equipment or supervising adults were in the immediate area at the time of the incident.
