Police still involved in accidental drowning

By Mary Manning

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 | 10:47 a.m.

Although the coroner has ruled the drowning of an 18-month-old boy accidental, North Las Vegas police today said their criminal investigation continues.

"The North Las Vegas Police Department is still continuing a criminal investigation as to how this happened," said Chrissie Coon, spokeswoman for the North Las Vegas Police Department.

The home where the day care operated had licenses from both city and state agencies and passed inspections as late as July, authorities said.

The coroner identified the victim who died as Jordan Williams. An unidentified 3-year-old boy also fell into the residential in-ground backyard pool about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, but survived.

Both boys, who were not related, were taken to University Medical Center's Pediatric Center. Williams was pronounced dead and the 3-year-old was treated and in good condition.

The boys were at Marisela's Family Day Care, operated in a single-story house at 4731 Gunlock Circle, which is near Lone Mountain Road and Decatur Boulevard. Marisela and Ramon Carvajal are listed as the owners of the home in Clark County Assessor's Office records.

The day care facility was shut down Tuesday until police complete a criminal investigation, Coon said.

Details of the death and how the children got out of the house and into the pool will not be released until police finish investigating, Coon said.

While few details have been released by state and city licensing authorities, the day care center had a North Las Vegas business license, a state permit to operate and had passed inspections by Southern Nevada Health District investigators.

Health district rules for backyard pools require a 5-foot-high fence between the pool and any areas where children have access.

Any gates leading to the pool must lock and have a self-closing feature that is at least 3 1/2 feet above ground level.

Any pool at a day care facility may not be used by children under supervision during operating hours.