6-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Shallow End of Apartment Pool

SANTA ANA — A 6-year-old boy drowned in the shallow end of a swimming pool at an apartment complex Friday despite efforts by other swimmers to revive him, authorities said.

Miguel Martinez, who could not swim, was wading in the shallow end of a pool at 2200 E. Santa Clara Ave., accompanied by his mother, at about 5:50 p.m.

“Suddenly, they discovered he was missing. They found him lying in the shallow end of the pool,” said Senior Deputy Coroner Richard McAnally.

Attempts to revive the boy were unsuccessful, and paramedics took him to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, where he was pronounced dead less than two hours later.

The boy’s parents were identified as Atapita and Jose Martinez of Santa Ana. The family was visiting relatives at the apartment complex, authorities said.