A Louisiana woman operating a daycare from her residence has been charged with negligent homicide following the tragic drowning of a 3-year-old boy in her backyard pool. The child remained submerged and unconscious for approximately 20 minutes before being retrieved from the water, according to local authorities.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office apprehended 37-year-old Joann Johnson from Prairieville, Louisiana. She faces charges related to the boy’s drowning, as surveillance footage revealed the young boy struggling in the pool and eventually becoming unresponsive.
“The most heart-wrenching aspect of the video is witnessing young Ian’s desperate fight for survival,” Donovan Jackson from the APSO informed WAFB in Baton Rouge. The boy has been identified as Ian Perez.
“Equally distressing is the sight of him remaining in the pool for over 20 minutes without any supervision,” Jackson further commented.
Joann Johnson, aged 37, has been charged with negligent homicide following the death of Ian Perez. The unlicensed daycare provider reportedly left him unsupervised, leading to the tragic incident, as stated by the police. (Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office)
The drowning was reported to 911 at approximately 3:50 p.m. on May 18. Johnson, who faces two to 10 years in prison if convicted, was charged weeks later and turned herself in Wednesday on $100,000 bond.
After responding to the 911 call, deputies found the boy and attempted lifesaving measures alongside medical responders, including CPR. The boy was flown by Air Med to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“We understand that accidents happen,” Jackson told WAFB. “You may lose sight of them for a minute or two, maybe five minutes, but for over 20 minutes, that is a problem, and that is clear negligence.
“Whether it is an accident or not, that is clear negligence.”
Babysitter Joann Johnson, 37, was arrested in Prairieville, Louisiana, in connection with the drowning death of a 3-year-old. (Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office)
Surveillance video reviewed in the investigation showed two young children in Johnson’s care playing near a backyard swimming pool without safety wear, authorities said. The victim fell into the pool and drowned, remaining unconscious in the water for about 20 minutes before Johnson was seen retrieving him, according to investigators.
Johnson was not a licensed daycare provider, and was looking after the 3-year-old boy in a “family friend arrangement,” Jackson told WAFB.
“No parent should have to deal with the loss of their child, especially when that loss is due to someone else’s negligence,” Jackson added.
An Ascension Parish tragedy has left a boy, 3, dead from drowning and his babysitter facing 2-10 years in prison for alleged negligent homicide. (Michael Tortorich / USA TODAY NETWORK)
“A three-year-old boy — the friendliest child you could ever meet — he was very charismatic and full of energy. He absolutely loved playing with his bicycle, toy cars, and stuffed animals,” the family of Perez wrote in a statement translated from Spanish, according to WAFB.
“He was very close to his five-year-old sister, Deyrin Pérez.
“Their mother was a single parent, constantly striving for her children; they were always the most important thing in her life.”
The incident, coming just weeks before summer break for schools, signals a warning for parents and children about home and pool safety.
“If you’re going to have a pool and have children around that pool, especially children who are not yours, you better make sure you have every safety measure in place for that child’s well-being,” Jackson said.
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