2-year-old boy dies in apparent drowning at DC home daycare

WASHINGTON - D.C. police are investigating the death of a 2-year-old boy at a home daycare in Northeast D.C.

Police say they responded to the 300 block of 17th Street at around 11:22 a.m. Tuesday. According to their preliminary investigation, the boy is believed to have died from an accidental drowning in an inflatable pool and an autopsy will be performed to confirm the cause and manner of death.

D.C.'s Office of the State Superintendent of Education said in a statement:

"The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) was made aware of the death of a child at a licensed child development home in the District. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the child. We are investigating this matter in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department and Child and Family Services Agency. As this matter is an active investigation, all questions should be directed to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Neighbors tell FOX 5 that the child care provider has been caring for children at her home for more than three decades.

"I have known the child care provider for a very long time," said neighbor Tiffanne May. "I have known her daughter for over 30 years. We went to school together from elementary through high school, and she's actually the child care provider that I wanted to have care for my daughter when my daughter was first born."

They say the home-based daycare center in their neighborhood is highly sought after by new parents.

"I think it's so sad and it's an unfortunate incident that happened because she is such a good caregiver," said May. "She is very meticulous about what she does, she cares for the children as if they are her own, which is why she comes highly recommended by those who know her in the neighborhood."

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education licenses home-based daycare centers. They are investigating this incident along with police and Child and Family Services Agency.

More than 10 percent of pool-related deaths in young children reportedly happen in what are known as kiddie pools.