Boy, 10, drowns in local pool after breaking in during the early hours of the morning
A 10-year-old boy has died after sneaking into a closed pool near his home in Park Forest, south of Chicago.
Jaleel 'Ducky' Drayton was reported missing just before 4am on Tuesday, and pulled from one of the pools at the Park Forest Aqua Center soon after.
His clothing was found nearby the pool, and a police officer, spotting his body in the water, scaled the fence, dragged him out and quickly began CPR, CBS reported.
Jaleel, who family said was not a strong swimmer, was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
His parents said they last saw him playing at a park nearby the center with friends earlier in the day. It is unclear if he returned home before he was reported missing.
Jaleel 'Ducky' Drayton, 10, was found drowned in his local pool after 4am on Tuesday morning
The youngster's parents said they last saw him playing in a park with friends nearby, and that he was not a strong swimmer
The aqua center was closed on Tuesday as police investigated the child's death, and will be closed on Wednesday as well.
Police are unsure how Jaleel was able to enter the pool area, and are collecting CCTV from neighboring properties.
The fourth grade student was beloved by teachers and his football coaches, who said he had the 'it factor' and a bright future ahead of him.
'Not him, you know? With all the stuff that's going on in the world... he was just a good kid. It hurts,' Alvin Lacy told ABC.
Other teachers shared their memories of the boy on social media, noting he was always happy to help out and a delight to have in the classroom.
The fourth-grader was beloved by his coaches and friends, with football coach Alvin Lacy saying he was a 'good kid' with the 'it factor'
A statement from Park Forest Police say officers are continuing to investigate how Jaleel got into the pool after hours and if he was alone, and offered condolences to the youngster's family.
'As this remains an active death investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,' the department said.
'While any death is reason to grieve, the death of a child is particularly troubling, and the Park Forest Police Department offers its sincerest condolences to the loved ones and friends of the juvenile.'