Mesa police responded to a child drowning call for the second day in a row on Tuesday. Eight-month-old Cathy Marie Romero was in a bathtub with three other children at 4656 East Caballero when her mother left the bathroom to check on a fifth child in another part of the house.
The mother, whose name has not been released, told police that she left the four bathing children in the care of her 15-year-old nephew for only a few minutes. One of the bathing children brought the drowned infant to her mother, who immediately called 911 at about 2 p.m.
Police said they were at the residence within 30 seconds of the call. Paramedics transported the infant by ambulance to Banner Desert Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
“We just cannot convey enough the water safety issue,” said Det. Johnny Lopez. “There are going to be children around pools, bathtubs and wading pools as the weather gets warmer. All it takes is that extra minute to secure the gate, dump the bucket, drain the tub.”
