INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The mother of the 3-year-old that drowned in late July as been arrested, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Summer Marie Stiles, 34, of Vero Beach, on a warrant stemming from the July 25, drowning of her son, Dakota Stiles, according to authorities.
Stiles was charged with one count of child neglect in July as a result of an incident that occurred on July 12, when Dakota was found unattended in a neighbor’s yard, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
During the investigation of the drowning that occurred in July, detectives found numerous inconsistencies in Stiles’ version of the events as well as several contributing factors that led to Dakota’s death, according to authorities.
The warrant affidavit submitted by Indian River County Sheriff’s Detective Ron Garrison noted Stiles failed to secure the pool area of the yard from Dakota’s access in spite of his history of wandering.
A piece of cardboard covering a window in a bedroom was all that kept the area of the pool secure from the child’s access, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Stiles was aware of the window being protected by cardboard and its lack of security for at least six months. Stiles did not make an effort to better secure the window or drain the unused swimming pool, authorities said.
Both Stiles and her husband, Todd Stiles, told investigators they could not afford to repair the window, according to authorities. However, investigators noted the house contained a large screen TV with cable, a video gaming system, and a computer.
Additionally, DCF had recommended securing the pool area and offered services free of charge but the Stiles did not respond to nor accept the offers, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Detective Garrison said that the family was aware Dakota could not swim and had access to a swimming pool without supervision.
He also noted that Stiles initially reported she had not used any drugs on the day of the drowning with the exception of ibuprofen. Toxicology report of Stiles’s blood taken on the day Dakota drowned showed hydrocodone and possible opiates.
Stiles faces charges including one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child, a first degree felony. She is being held on $50,000 bond.
July 25 – VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded today to a report of a drowning of a 3-year-old.
Around 3:30 p.m., Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a 3-year-old child was found unresponsive in a swimming pool and was not breathing, according to authorities. The location of the incident was the 1300 block of 14th Avenue in Vero Beach. The call came from a neighbor who was on scene with a cell phone.
Lt. Lonnie Rich was in the area when the call was dispatched and was on scene in less than one minute. Lt. Rich ran to the backyard and took the child from his parents’ arms and began CPR, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
EMS arrived on scene about two minutes after Lt. Rich and took over resuscitation efforts on the child. He was transported to Indian River Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 4:09 p.m.
Investigators spoke to the child’s parents, according to a press release. The investigation is currently underway and detectives remain on scene at the 14th Avenue home.
Criminal charges may be forthcoming, according to authorities.
Previously, on July 12, a neighbor located the child walking in her backyard, according to authorities. The neighbor took him home but after repeated knocks at the parents’ door, there was no answer. The neighbor took him to her house and called the Sheriff’s Office, authorities said.
At that time, the father told investigators he works nights and normally sleeps during the day. The deputy asked the mother if her children were accounted for and upon learning that the one was not in the house, she stated, “I guess I’m missing one.”
The Department of Children and Families was notified and a few days later a warrant for the mother, Summer Stiles, 34, was obtained for child neglect, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Stiles had gone out of town when the warrant was issued but upon her return, she turned herself into the county jail on July 23. She posted the $2,500 bond and was released the same day.
