Campers react to drowning death of 23-month-old boy

A Scotts Valley toddler died in a hot tub at the KOA Campgrounds in Watsonville Monday afternoon,theSanta Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said. The boy was 23-months-old.

“Something bad can happen any second when you’re at a swimming pool,” said Christine Delreal, campground visitor.

Delreal and her family are from Southern California and this is their first time at the Watsonville campground. A mother of two, she knows firsthand the danger associated with pools.

“They move so quickly. You can turn your head and they could go from the pool to (anywhere in the area), they could even leave the gate. You just never know what can happen in a matter of seconds,” said Delreal.

Detectives are still trying to figure out how the boy died.

“One of the parents was around at the time of the incident as well as other people who were at the pool. The child wasn’t by himself,” Lt. Kelly Kent with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said.

Kentreminds for parents to keep an eye on your kids, especially when there’s no lifeguard on duty.

“Make sure you know where they are at all times. Make sure (to) maybe have more than one person that’s watching the children and check in with them frequently,” Kent said.

Investigators said they will be working through the night and expect to know more Tuesday. In the meantime, the pool area is closed.