A 2-year-old boy remains hospitalized in critical condition after he was pulled from a Gilbert swimming pool.
A spokesperson for the family released a statement on Friday regarding Lincoln's accident:
On Tuesday afternoon, April 4, our son, grandson and nephew was found in the swimming pool. He was immediately removed from the pool and CPR was administered by a family member and first responder. He is currently in critical condition at Cardon Children's Hospital. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the medical personnel who have so tirelessly cared for him. We also wish to thank all those who have reached out to the family with words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers. During this extremely difficult time, it is our hope that no other family will have to go through such a devastating event and that everyone watches their kids around water at all times.
The family has also set up a Wells Fargo account for people to donate to. It's called "Lincoln Scott Donation Fund" and the number is 5267878592.
The boy's grandmother, Holly Hipps, talked to ABC15 and is now urging other families to rethink water safety.
Hipps described Lincoln as always looking for an adventure; he loved to climb up anything with wheels.
On Tuesday firefighters were called to a home near Elliot and Lindsay roads after a woman found her son floating in the backyard pool, officials said.
"A family member grabbed him out of the pool and performed CPR until first responders were there," Hipps said. "If it wasn't for EMTs, he wouldn't even have a chance."
A Gilbert police spokesperson said they're investigating the incident as an accidental near drowning.
A vigil is being kept on Lincoln's bedside at Cardon Children's Medical Center in Mesa.
Nobody can take back what happened Tuesday, but the grandma says every family can take action to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
"Children need to be watched completely around water," Hipps said. "If you turn your back for a minute there is no telling what could happen."
Hipps is also urging families to enroll their kids in infant survival swimming classes.
In 2016, the Gilbert Police Department received 19 child drowning or near drowning reports. So far they've already received three this year, officials said.
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