Tragedy as toddler, two, dies after falling into an empty pool just two days before Christmas after getting through barrier

  • Noah Pourteau, two, fell into an empty pool in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 23
  • His mother noticed him missing around 11:30am and found him at the bottom of the pool minutes later
  • The pool was empty except for about a foot of rainwater at the bottom
  • Noah was put on life support over the weekend, but died early Sunday  

A two-year-old Louisiana boy died on Sunday, four days after falling into an empty pool the day before Christmas Eve.  

Noah Pourteau was being watched by his mother on December 23 when he broke through a barrier on a family pool and fell to the bottom. He was rushed to the hospital and put on a ventilator but never regained consciousness.

The two-and-a-half-year-old boy is survived by his mother, Mychaela Mann, and father Tyler Pourteau. His parents appear to have been separated. 

Christmas tragedy: Noah Pourteau, two, died early Sunday morning after spending four days on a ventilator following a tragic fall into an empty pool at a family home

Christmas tragedy: Noah Pourteau, two, died early Sunday morning after spending four days on a ventilator following a tragic fall into an empty pool at a family home

Fatal accident: Above, an aerial view of the family home in Shreveport, Louisiana where the accident happened the morning of December 23 

Fatal accident: Above, an aerial view of the family home in Shreveport, Louisiana where the accident happened the morning of December 23 

The tragedy unfolded the morning of December 23, around 11:30am, when Mann noticed Noah missing from a family home on the 3500 block of Old Mooringsport Road in Shreveport.

Just a few minutes later, Mann found her son in an empty pool in the home's backyard. 

Noah had apparently found his way through the pool's secure barrier and fell to the bottom. While the pool was empty for the season, there was about a foot of rainwater at the bottom but family say he did not drown. 

Caddo Parish firefighters and sheriff's deputies responded to the scene and performed CPR on the child before rushing him to the hospital. 

Mother and son: Noah was being watched by his mother, Mychaela Mann, Wednesday morning when he went missing 

Mother and son: Noah was being watched by his mother, Mychaela Mann, Wednesday morning when he went missing 

Home for the holidays: Mann found him just minutes later at the bottom of the pool. Above, a view of the scene on Wednesday 

Home for the holidays: Mann found him just minutes later at the bottom of the pool. Above, a view of the scene on Wednesday 

Hospitalized: Noah was rushed from the home to the hospital where he was put on life support 

Hospitalized: Noah was rushed from the home to the hospital where he was put on life support 

Father and son: Above, Noah and his father Tyler Pourteau. It appears that Noah's parents were separated 

Father and son: Above, Noah and his father Tyler Pourteau. It appears that Noah's parents were separated 

He was initially admitted to Willis Knighton in Bossier, but was then transferred to University Health in Shreveport. 

'We did everything we could do and worked hard on him. I don't know how long he was in the pool,' parish Fire Chief Dan Cotten told the Shreveport Times

'Anytime you deal with an incident involving children, it's difficult. Especially this close to the holidays makes it even worse,' Fire Captain Gene Sweet added to KSLA

Noah spent the weekend on a ventilator in critical condition, with some reports saying he was improving and beginning to breathe on his own.

But sadly he did not regain consciousness and on Sunday, passed away before 9am.  

The family is said to be arranging a funeral for Friday. 

According to  ArkLaTexHomepage.com, friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the family's medical and household bills.  

A note on the page reads: 'Heaven gained an angel today as Noah will be in a better place. Organs will be donated so Noah can save those in need. He was a sweet loving boy and no parent should have to go through this. We asked that you keep praying for his parents and family at this time.Thank you for all the donations and we will keep this account open. All donations will be used for anything the Parents need for funeral arrangements.. Thank you once again and God bless you all.'

Smiles: Family are planning a funeral for Friday, according to local reports. Above, pictures of Noah from Facebook

Smiles: Family are planning a funeral for Friday, according to local reports. Above, pictures of Noah from Facebook

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