"Pray for us:" Family holds vigil in honor of seven-year-old boy who drowned at hotel this weekend

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office has released its report on a seven-year-old boy who drowned this weekend at a hotel during a birthday party. That boy has been identified as Noah Beckley of Milwaukee -- and his death has been ruled an accident. This, as loved ones came together for a vigil in Beckley's honor Monday evening.

Noah Beckley

Beckley's mother was inconsolable as teddy bears and balloons were tied to a tree near 29th and Hampton Monday evening in Noah Beckley's honor.

"It`s just pain. People just don`t know how it feel to lose a child," Beckley's aunt, Kianna Taylor said.

The seven-year-old boy was pronounced dead at Children's Hospital after the drowning incident which occurred Saturday evening, January 24th at the Comfort Suites near 108th and Park Place.

An autopsy was completed Monday, January 26th on the boy. The Medical Examiner's Office says the boy jumped into the water -- but he could not swim. The boy was pulled from the water three to five minutes after jumping in, and he was resuscitated. He was then taken to Children's Hospital, where he died -- despite additional resuscitative efforts.

Milwaukee police were able to take a look at surveillance video, which showed the boy struggling in the water because it was too deep for him. The report says the boy was underwater for about five minutes before someone noticed him and pulled him out.

"We can`t be angry. It wasn't murder or nothing. It didn`t come from a bad place. He was a kid swimming. All our kids go swimming and you don`t think that`s something that could happen," Sade Wilder, a family friend said.

The boy attended King's Academy -- staying with his mother during the week, and his father on weekends, the report says. He was at the hotel Saturday evening for a birthday party for his step-brother.

The boy's father confirmed to the Medical Examiner's Office that the boy did not know how to swim.

"Noah was the type of kid who brought so much love and laughter to everyone," King's Academy Principal Erika Whitehead said.

Noah Beckley was in first grade.

"We made it known that this was a death and that our friend and classmate is gone and we acknowledge that they may be feeling sad and it's alright to feel that way," Whitehead said.

Counselors were made available at the school Monday, and staff members wore red -- Beckley's favorite color. Students drew pictures of Beckley and journaled about their feelings.

"If you read some of their journals you'll see 'Noah was my friend,' 'Noah was a great guy but I'm sad.' 'I'm crying on the inside,'" Whitehead said.

Beckley's aunt asks that the community keep his memory alive.

"He's special. He's very talented. He loved art. Just pray for us. Support us," Kianna Taylor said.

At the vigil held in Noah Beckley's honor, his mother encouraged other parents to be sure to teach their children how to swim.



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