The parents of a 14-year-old Ohio student want answers after the untimely death of their son, who drowned at Melanie Lake during a school outing with the boy's football team on Thursday, July 21.
Timothy and Victoria Washington believe that someone should be held accountable for the death of their son, Toshaye Pope, because they would not have allowed him to swim at the lake simply because he does not know how. Victoria said she nor her husband did not sign any permission slip or waiver and they were not told by a coach that the team would be out swimming.
Pope's parents said that they were only aware that their son was at the football camp. They find out about the swimming after they got a call from the Springfield Lake police about their son.
The parents also learned that the school outing had 50 kids accompanied only by two adults. The lake facilities had at least five lifeguards but they do not know why no one was able to save their son.
Speaking with Cleveland 19, Timothy said that the football coach, Steve Fasig, was not on the lake when the commotion with Pope happened because he apparently left to get a griller. The father was also told that no lifeguards were present when Pope was in distress at around 1:45 p.m. Allegedly, the person who tried to do CPR on Pope was a concession stand worker.
The Washingtons have hired Atty. Allen Tittle to look into the circumstance surrounding Pope's death and gather evidence for a potential wrongful death suit.
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A mathematical genius has gone too soon
Pope had six other siblings who are missing their brother. His mother said that his laugh would usually "brighten up the whole day." The family also said that the 14-year-old was the kind of kid every father wants. In fact, Timothy was looking forward to the day he'd watch his son at the games as a linebacker or running back.
Timothy and Victoria told News 5 Cleveland that their lives have not been the same since losing their 14-year-old boy. Described as a mathematical genius and a rising sports star, Pope was supposed to start his freshman year at the Akron Early College High School. Since the institution had no sports program, the school district allowed him to play for the Ellet High School football team. He was already practicing with them since April.
The family alleges that Fasig drove the team to Melanie Lake using a school bus. Mark Williamson, the spokesperson for the Akron Public School District, said that they are still looking into the incident. If a school bus was indeed used, then it would be an official school outing, which would require the permission of the parents. The school district, however, declined to make further comments as it has started an inquiry.
Melanie Lake could be liable as well
The family's attorney said that Melanie Lake may also be held liable for the boy's death if there is enough evidence to prove that someone failed to do their job.
"Someone made a choice to take the team to Melanie Lake without parents' permission," the lawyer said, per Akron Beacon Journal. "Someone made a choice not to properly supervise or train lifeguard."
The facility's owner, Jeremy Caudill, attested that there were five lifeguards on duty at the specified time of the drowning. Tittle is calling on the public for information into the Melanie Lake tragedy by calling (216) 308-1522.
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