"A tragedy for our whole family:" Vigil held in memory of baby boy drowned, allegedly by his father
MILWAUKEE -- A vigil was held Wednesday, August 3rd in memory of Sean Flowers III -- the three-month-old baby boy killed over the weekend. The baby's father is accused of drowning him in a pond, and is in jail on a homicide charge.
At 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, friends, family members and community leaders gathered near the pond on N. 75th Street (near 76th and Brown Deer Road) on Milwaukee's far northwest side to remember Sean Flowers III.
Public officials, clergy members and those with domestic violence advocacy organizations were among those on hand. They spoke about how important it is that those with domestic violence issues come forward for help -- to prevent another tragedy like this one.
"If you don't know how to handle it, call the Office of Domestic Violence. Call the city. Call someone -- anyone that you think can help so we can avoid these types of tragedies in the future," Milwaukee Alderwoman Chantia Lewis said.
Sean Flowers III's mother was too overcome with emotion to speak during the vigil. Her sister spoke for her.
Memorial for Sean Flowers III
"You can lead someone down the right path. Doesn't mean they are going to take it. It doesn't mean your right path is their right path. Everybody has to find their own way. All we can do is love each other. All we can do is catch each other's tears and just pray together and try to live and get past this and just be there and make sure he gets what he has coming for doing this," Latasha Jackson said.
A memorial including teddy bears and balloons marks the spot where family members watched in horror -- and begged the child's father to stop Saturday night as he waded into the pond with three-month-old Sean Flowers III.
"God -- we ask that you find a way to help prevent further loss of young lives, innocent lives in our community. This was a tragedy for our whole family, the community. You see this every day. It's just crazy that it's this close. We're doing the best we can to stay strong for each other -- and just be there for each other," Latasha Jackson said.
Vigil to remember Sean Flowers III
Vigil for Sean Flowers III
Vigil for Sean Flowers III
25-year-old Sean Flowers is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of his own son and namesake. Flowers is accused of drowning the three-month-old baby boy on Saturday, July 30th.
Sean Flowers III
According to the criminal complaint, Sean Flowers was at a family party Saturday in an apartment near the pond when he became angry with the baby's mother -- and grabbed the child as a crowd gathered to try to stop him.
The complaint says Flowers punched his own sister in the face and waded into the pond with Sean Flowers III -- as multiple family members begged and pleaded with Flowers to hand Sean Flowers III over to the family.
Flowers' sister called 911 at 8:42 p.m. on Saturday to report that Flowers was "threatening to throw his three-month-old child...into the water." When police arrived on the scene, they witnessed a large group of citizens at the water's edge yelling, "He's drowning the baby."
Officers spotted two men in the water -- one was a man who was trying to rescue the baby, the other was Flowers. It was about 8:55 p.m. when the complaint indicates Flowers "dropped Sean Flowers III into the water." Flowers then swam deeper into the pond.
Investigation into death of infant boy
Joey Griffin
Joey Griffin was the man who raced into the water in an effort to save the child.
"Without thinking -- I just ran into the water. I yelled at him 'where's the baby? Where's the baby?' And then I saw a baby floating in the water. I grabbed it. I tried to swim away with it. He lunged at me and took the baby again and swam further, deeper. We all lost. We all lost this one. No matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, sometimes you just lose. No matter how hard you try. You just wish you could've did more," Joey Griffin said.
The complaint says Griffin told investigators Flowers stated: "Abraham killed his son, Isaac. Jesus will forgive me," as Griffin searched the water for the baby.
The criminal complaint indicates one officer who jumped into the water was able to locate the body of the child. The boy was immediately brought back to shore where the officer began CPR. Milwaukee firefighters arrived on the scene a short time later. But despite all the efforts, the infant was pronounced deceased on the scene.
"We really appreciate everything that you did, Joey. May God bless you. Our hearts are with you as well," Latasha Jackson said during the vigil Wednesday.
Officers continued to monitor Flowers in the water. The complaint says he "would go under water and then come back up." He apparently did this approximately five times. But eventually, two officers were able to get hold of Flowers, keep him above water and get him back to shore. The complaint says during this time Flowers "said he was going to burn in hell for killing his son and the police would be blessed for saving him."
Pond near 75th and Glenbrook
The complaint indicates Flowers became combative with officers once they got to shore. Flowers had to be tased so the officers could put him in handcuffs.
Sean Flowers
During an in-custody interview on Sunday, July 31st, Flowers "claimed to not remember any of the events of July 30th." He did however recall "being kicked and tased by police." The complaint says "when informed that (Flowers) killed his son, (Flowers) showed no emotion, and instead talked about not being able to see the (Flowers') family anymore." He also asked "how much time does that carry?"
The complaint also indicates Flowers brought up free will during the in-custody interview. A detective responded: "like, you had the free will to kill your kid?" Flowers responded, 'right.'"
FOX6 News obtained a copy of a request for a temporary restraining order filed by the three-month-old boy's mother in April of 2015. It mentions another child the two had in common. The woman wrote that she was "scared that he will harm me. He hit me and my eye was swollen." The report says: "A few days later, he hit me with a closed fist several times and would not let me leave." The woman apparently asked the man what he wanted, and "he said to see his child."
The restraining order was not upheld. It was dismissed. The woman did not show up for the court date.
A relative told police Flowers seemed angry Saturday that his girlfriend was dancing at the family party prior to the incident -- saying she didn't work or take care of the children enough, but she could dance.
If convicted on the charge, Flowers faces up to life in prison. He made his initial appearance in court on Tuesday, August 2nd and bail was set at $1 million.
Sean Flowers
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for August 11th.
A GoFundMe.com account has been established in memory of Sean Flowers III. CLICK HERE to view that Go Fund Me page, or to make a donation.