AKRON, Ohio  — Following final week’s drowning demise of an Ohio substantial faculty football participant, 14-yr-old Toshaye Pope’s household has retained the products and services of Tittle & Perlmuter regulation firm to look into the subject and seem into the situations encompassing his demise.

In accordance to the Springfield Township Law enforcement Section, officers responded to Melanie Lake, a swim and function centre, on July 21 just before 2 p.m. for a teen who experienced been underwater for an unknown volume of time.

Law enforcement said a preliminary investigation indicated that some individuals jumped off a dock and diving board at the lake. Pope ended up in the water and slid below the area. Lifeguards pulled him out, and he was transported to a close by hospital. He died on Saturday night time.

Pope was an incoming freshman at Akron Early College Large Faculty and participated in a football celebration for Ellet Superior Faculty, the place he was permitted to enjoy since his college failed to have a staff.

The regulation company reported the teen’s dad and mom were unaware of the team’s programs, as they weren’t knowledgeable by any individual. It wasn’t until the law enforcement referred to as his mother and father and advised them they desired to head to the hospital that they uncovered what had happened.

The law firm explained it is searching into the make any difference and will investigate any doable wrongdoing.

It launched the subsequent assertion on behalf of the family members this early morning.

“This relatives is heartbroken and in grief mainly because of the reduction of their son. This young gentleman was the variety of son each individual parent would hope for – not only was he a scholar-athlete, but also his positive personality could gentle up the home. Of course, the family is devastated.

A freshman football player’s relatives really should not have to stress about regardless of whether their son is going to arrive dwelling from workforce occasions. We intend to get answers for Toshaye’s grieving relatives and request prayers as they check out to get by means of this unthinkable reduction. We will look into regardless of whether the basic safety rules ended up adopted by all concerned and if they ended up not, keep these liable accountable for their steps.”

Akron Community Universities produced the adhering to assertion two times ago:

“The Akron Community Colleges family is saddened by the information of the passing of this young man and has begun an inquiry into just what occurred. We are featuring grief counseling and check with for prayers for the relatives.”

Following the teen’s death, WEWS’ Bob Jones spoke to people who knew Pope and was advised he was cherished by both of those his classmates and faculty staff members. You can enjoy additional in the participant underneath:

Drew Scofield at WEWS very first noted this tale.