Jul 10, 2020

Kansas man arrested in drowning death of 2-year-old son

Posted Jul 10, 2020 11:18 PM
First responders on the scene of the drowning Tuesday evening -photo courtesy KWCH
First responders on the scene of the drowning Tuesday evening -photo courtesy KWCH

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the drowning death of a 2-year-old boy have arrested 44-year-old William Kabutu of Wichita.

Just after 10 p.m., Tuesday, police responded to a neighborhood pool in the 1900 block of E. 54th Street South for a drowning call, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the calling-party, who reported observing a boy floating in the neighborhood pool. Wichita Fire Department (WFD) personnel pulled the child from the pool and attempted life-saving measures. However, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Through a thorough investigation of evidence and interviewing multiple individuals, the investigation revealed the boy and his 4-year-old brother were taken to the pool by their father William Kabutu who was intoxicated, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Kabutu photo Sedgwick Co.
Kabutu photo Sedgwick Co.

At the pool, Kabutu allowed the kids to by-pass the pool fence.  The 2-year-old entered the pool, was not able to stay above the water, and drowned. 

Kabutu was not able to access the pool due to the fence and locked gate.  Emergency personnel were called after a passerby arrived and called 911.

Police booked Kabutu into the Sedgwick County Jail Friday afternoon  on a requested charge of felony murder and two counts of aggravated child endangerment, according to Davidson.

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SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the drowning of 2-year-old boy.

Just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a home in the 1900 block of E. 54th Street South in Wichita for a drowning call, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the calling-party who reported observing the boy floating in the neighborhood pool and calling 911.

Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and the Wichita Fire Department (WFD) pulled the boy from the pool and attempted life-saving measures. However, the child died. 

The investigation revealed the boy was with his 44-year-old father and 4-year-old brother in the neighborhood when he managed to by-pass the fence surrounding the pool, and fell into the water, according to Cruz.

Police released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.