2-year-old boy drowns in pool in Deltona, deputies say

'Detectives are investigating the tragic circumstances'

DELTONA, Fla. – A 2-year-old boy died after being found unresponsive Wednesday in a swimming pool at a home in Deltona, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were called to 2066 Dalton Ave. around 3:08 p.m. and found the toddler unresponsive after being removed from the swimming pool, the news release said. First responders were not able to revive the boy.

Authorities later identified the toddler as Colynn Robert Mertz.

Mertz's grandfather Robert Church said he drove to Florida from North Carolina when he heard about the boy's death. 

"Colynn was a good kid. (I) loved him to death," he said.

Colynn's great aunt told News 6 that the boy's father had been trying to gain custody of the toddler.

While deputies are still investigating, Church said Colynn possibly crawled through a window, which was damaged by Hurricane Irma and had a temporary screen on it.

"Next thing you know, my daughter looks, Melody looks and says 'Colynn's in the pool.' Mom looks and he's lying face down in the pool," Church said.

Church said his daughter rushed to save him and called 911, but it was too late.

"He was just the sweetest kid ever. He liked everybody," said Kiana Rivera, Colynn's babysitter.

Neighbors brought stuffed animals and flowers to the family's home.

"The house is in pretty bad shape," Church said.

Church told News 6 he met with code enforcement to talk about the issues, since he owns the home, but said that has nothing to do with his daughter's parenting skills.

"I see this is happening on TV and the first thing that pops into my mind, is 'Where in the hell are the damn parents when a child drowns?' Until it happens to you. My daughter loved him," he said.

The other two children are staying with family members. The city of Deltona said it's working on releasing the home's code violations and said it dates all the way back to 2007. Some of the violations include animals at large and grass abatement.

Neighbors are holding a candlelight vigil at the family's home on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Officials said detectives are investigating "the tragic circumstances."

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled the drowning victim's first name based on information provided by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Family members said the correct spelling is Colynn.


Recommended Videos