LAKE COUNTY — Jason Alexander Carr, 3, drowned in the family”s swimming pool on Thursday afternoon.
The incident was reported at 12:53 p.m. at a home on Avenue A in the Robin Hill neighborhood of Lakeport. The case is pending further investigation, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff”s Office.
Cheryl Carr, the boy”s grandmother said “It was my dream to have this pool and now it”s my nightmare.”
The toddler”s parents Ryan Carr, 23, and Charmaine Plein, 24, both work two jobs. A family friend, Gabrial Santerno, was staying at the house and she offered to watch the couple”s two children, 2 and 3 years old, while Ryan slept after work, Cheryl said.
“I worked at the first job for eight hours and then had another eight hours pretty soon after that,” Ryan said. “I am going to school full-time for criminal justice. It”s been tough and I don”t get as much family time as I would like, but we figured the hard work would pay off in the end.”
When Ryan woke up after sleeping for about a half-hour he looked for the children. He heard screaming from the bedroom where he found 2-year-old Lucas, wet and frantic.
He continued to look for Jason and Santerno, but couldn”t find either. He threw open the door and yelled Jason”s name. Ultimately he found Jason in the swimming pool. He doesn”t know how Jason got out of the house. He attempted CPR while emergency personnel were en route.
“I don”t understand how this could happen. He was always watching out for his little brother, he was usually the careful one,” Ryan said.
After Jason was pronounced dead, the couple was faced with a tough decision. In hopes of helping others, they decided to donate Jason”s organs.
Ryan said he went into his room and lay on the bed, devastated.
“Within an hour or so, we got the call asking if we wanted to donate his organs. At first it was too much. He was just alive four hours ago. But I talked to Charmaine and she agreed that we should do it. His heart and corneas were utilized right away. His heart was given to a child with heart disease,” Ryan said.
“He had such a great heart and bright, big, blue eyes,” Cheryl said. “We were kindred spirits. He loved music. I would put on Neil Young or something and he”d dance with me. He was the love of my life.”
Ryan said Jason loved people. “Ever since he could walk he would jump everywhere. He was exuberant. He loved everyone. He loved to go to the park, go on the slide and he loved meeting new kids. He really loved elephants.”
“This is a multi-generational home,” Cheryl said. “Ryan and Charmaine lived in my house with the kids because they were working hard and saving for a house of their own.”
Ryan and Charmaine grew up in Lake County and both graduated from Upper Lake High School. They want to stay in Lake County.
“This county is all I”ve ever known,” Ryan said. “I”d love to stay here, but not in this house. We can”t bring ourselves to look at the backyard. We need to move out of this house. The money for our home now has to pay for the funeral for our child.”
A viewing will take place on Thursday at Chapel of the Lakes located at 1625 N. High St. in Lakeport. Family will attend from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. public from 1 to 5 p.m. The family welcomes everyone to attend.
Services will take place on Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. at United Christian Parish in Lakeport. Members of the public are welcome.
An account has been set up at Mendo Lake Credit Union to help the family with expenses.
