After son’s drowning death, parents help other children get free swimming lessons

DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (WAFB) - Memories are all Brittany and Taylor Law have left.

“The last time I saw Kye he was being pulled in a wagon,” Brittany said.

It’s those happy thoughts she’ll hold on to the most because reality still hurts. “I didn’t see movement, “she said. “I didn’t see a splash. I didn’t see bubbles, nothing.”

A little over two weeks ago Law and her family took a quick trip to a friend’s house. Kye Marshall Law, also known as baby Kye was playing with friends. Moments later, Brittany’s life changed forever.

“ I checked the pool. It was dark,” Law recalls. “Next thing I know, I turned around to Taylor jumping into the pool and pulling him out of the water.”

Baby Kye died later that day. Now, this mom is using her worst day to help other.

“It can happen to you and it happens fast when you least expect it,” she said.

Law now has plans much bigger than just sharing her son’s story and spreading a message of swim safety.

“I just think that there should be another way. Not everyone has that much money,” she said. There is another way. In fact, another mother created it.

“It’s not something that’s negotiable. Every kid needs to be in the water and learn how to swim,” said Michelle Lavergne, owner of Leaps and Bounds Sports Center in Denham Springs.

Law has partnered with Leaps and Bounds Sports Center to raise $15,000 to give away as many swim lessons as possible. “I don’t think parents think of it as something they need to do. I think everyone hears something tragic, they think oh that’s sad, but that couldn’t happen to me.”

EMS in East Baton Rouge Parish say they’ve responded to between 8-10 drowning cases in 2018. The best prevention, experts say, is paying close attention.

“Drowning deaths and drowning emergencies are for the most part silent,” explains Mike Chutz, Public Information Officer with East Baton Rouge Parish EMS. “They happen underwater. Even though the child is fighting and screaming and doing everything they can, you cannot hear them when you’re outside of the pool.”

Experts say it seems simple to prevent, but parental supervision is of the utmost importance. Both Chutz and Lavergne recommend fencing in pools, even if you don’t have children that live in the home.

“It’s important no matter where you live that you be able to get in the water and fend for yourself in any situation,” Lavergne said.

Law says she wants to stop another tragedy in its tracks. He approach is to start by educating others. “If you have or haven’t even thought about it...just put your kids in swim lessons,”she said.

If you’d like to make a donation to help families receive free swimming lessons, click here. Text your name and #swimforkye to 225-964-6968 to be entered into the drawing.

To purchase a shirt in Kye’s memory, click here. Proceeds from this purchase will also be donated to Leaps and Bounds.

On May 13, 2019, Sombreros located on 28050 Walker South Road will donate 15% of their profits to Leaps and Bounds to help with the swimming lessons giveaway.

Leaps and Bounds will soon be offering lessons year round. Swim sessions are offered to children as young as 8 months old.

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