A letter to the editor concerning retention pond safety
(Editor’s note: On Sun., June 14, a six-year-old autistic child was reported missing from their home. Kokomo Police officers located the child 20 minutes later in a retention pond near their home. The child was transported to Indianapolis for treatment but is in critical condition as of the writing of the following letter to the editor.)
Our community is holding its breath.
A child in Kokomo is currently fighting for his life after a tragic accident involving a retention pond. This is not just another news story to me. This is a child I knew. He is a sweet, kind soul who is deeply loved by his family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know him.
As our community prays for him and his family, we must also have a difficult conversation about safety.
Retention ponds are common throughout Kokomo’s neighborhoods. Many are located near homes, sidewalks, parks, and places where children play. While they serve an important purpose, they can also pose a serious danger. For a child, it takes only a moment of curiosity, distraction, or accident for a life-changing tragedy to occur.
No one can say for certain whether a fence would have changed what happened in this case. What we can say is that barriers save lives. We fence swimming pools. We install guardrails along dangerous roads. We take precautions because we know children do not always recognize danger.
That is why I am urging city leaders to explore requiring safety fencing and other protective measures around retention ponds, particularly those located in residential areas. Even if such measures prevent only one future tragedy, they are worth serious consideration.
This is not about blame. It is not about pointing fingers. It is about asking what we can do, as a community, to better protect our children moving forward.
Right now, a family is experiencing every parent’s worst nightmare. My thoughts are with them, and with the little boy who is fighting so hard. I hope our community can honor this moment not only with prayers and support, but with meaningful action that could help prevent another family from facing the same heartbreak.