Stanwondae’s Mother: It All Happened So Fast
Lisa Swan, the mother of 3 year old Stanwondae Swan who tragically drowned at Ferry Reach on June 27, spoke with ZBM news expressing her grief and saying “it all happened so fast”.
Ms Swan said that her husband had taken the day off to give their kids a nice day out, and they were at Ferry Reach. She told ZBM that she doesn’t normally allow her children to swim at Ferry Reach, and normally takes them to Admiralty.House, Clearwater or Shelly Bay.
Explaining what happened, she says her husband just briefly went to put a soda can in the trash, and that Mr Eve [the others childs father] quickly went to his car, which she said was “just across from where they were standing”.
The children were on the sand, and the adults had told the children [aged 4,3,2] not to move. They returned back to find the two boys gone, with just her 4 year old daughter remaining. The 4 yr old girl told them the kids had gone “walking down that way.”
She said by time Mr Eve and her husband looked “the two boys were floating”. Ms Swan went on to say that “no one pulled them out the water but their two daddies, no lady, nobody pulled those two babies out the water but their two daddies.”
ZBM also reported that Ms Swan’s “grief was heightened” by a report carried by another media organization saying that the child’s 7 year old sibling was left to look after him. Ms Swan pointed out this was untrue, she doesn’t even have a 7 year old child, and referring to the report saying “I don’t know where they got their facts from, but they need to get them straight.”
She said, understandably, that it has been a terrible experience and a total nightmare.
Never leave a 2 and 3 year old unattended. Period.
I am in agreement with Ms. Swan’s statement. I do not recall a lady being present until the children were out of the water. It was very fast, moments even. The children were seen playing not even 5 minutes before so they were not ‘left’ in the care of a four year old. Unfortunately, some press, in their zealousness for a story can interpret and bias a story with their internal opinion; especially when not granted interviews.
It is only by the grace of God that any of us are not in this position as no parent can tell you that they or anyone has eyes on their children 24/7. Even if they did, statistically, it is proven that this can happen directly under your nose.
Lisa, my heart goes out to you and your family. I pray for peace for you and am eternally sorry that this has happened.
My apologies… a 7 year old.
My sympathies go to the family. I dont know how it is, but unfortunately with kids it only takes a min. Sorry Lisa.
Margaret, you can NEVER give any child 100% 24/7 supervision. It is just impossible! So saying that is crazy. Your job is to be a responsible parent, do what you have to do, and pray that everything goes the way you want it. I have four children of my own, all under 7 years old so I know what it’s like having all of them by the water.
My heart goes out to Ms. Swan. I can never imagine your pain. May you make it through and come out strong.
I wasn’t there so I don’t know exactly what happened. But we ALL should learn from this. Children are unpredictable, especially 2-3 yr olds and they do NOT follow directions well. DO NOT TRUST THEIR JUDGMENT.
My question is: Did they have on any sort of life saving devices? Life vests, armbands? Anything?
Ms Swan, I pray your heart heals. My condolences. The little one is with the Lord, smiling. My family wishes you and your family a safe summer and a strong will to move forward and push pass this tragedy, God willing.
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Maaida Abdul-Jabbar
“Children are unpredictable, especially 2-3 yr olds and they do NOT follow directions well. DO NOT TRUST THEIR JUDGMENT.”
You said I was “crazy” to say simply say “never leave a 2 and 3 year old unattended” and then you basically said the same thing. I stand by what I said. I have raised two boys of my own. Children, especially at that age, cannot be left unattended even for a very short time. My heart DOES go out to Ms.Swan. I cannot imagine how devastated she is. And I am not blaming anyone. Accidents happen. But this was a very tragic one, which is why I agree, we should all learn from this tragedy.