A child died in an apparent drowning Sunday morning at a pond near the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Jefferson County Coroner Chad Kelley identified the victim as Dennis Johnson Jr., 13, of Pine Bluff. Initial reports indicated the child was 12.
Chief Deputy Coroner David Westbrook pronounced Johnson dead at 12:39 p.m. Sunday and Kelley said his body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy Monday.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a possible drowning at 11:14 a.m., according to Major Lafayette Woods Jr. Deputies and rescue personnel arrived at the scene at about 11:25 a.m.
Woods said two juveniles at the scene said they were with Johnson when he jumped off a wooden dock into the pond. Johnson reportedly could not swim. One of the other juveniles jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue Johnson, Woods said. Johnson reportedly struggled with the other juvenile and pulled away before going underwater.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The other two juveniles ran to a nearby residence for help, Woods said.
Johnson’s body was recovered just before noon.
Woods said the pond is on property near UAPB but is not owned by the university. Authorities were trying to identify the property owner Sunday.