5-year-old girl drowns in backyard pool

By Charles Etukuri and Agencies

A 5-year-old Ugandan girl on Sunday drowned in the family backyard pool after slipping out of the house unnoticed by the babysitter while her mother was in another room.

Her death is now being investigated by the State Police and Essex County District Attorney’s office.

“It’s a very sad day for us and for the family,” Police Chief Joseph Solomon said Sunday evening in a video statement.

In an email to parishioners, the First Baptist Church in Methuen identified the girl as Natalie Rose Kitayimbwa, and her mother as Rebecca Kitayimbwa.

“This is a tragedy for Rebecca and her family and a loss for our church family as well,” Elaine Mills, an administrative assistant at the church, said in the email. “Please keep Rebecca in your prayers.”

According to the church’s May newsletter, Natalie was born on May 2, 2010 in Boston to Rebecca Kitayimbwa. Natalie loved singing and dancing. She was enrolled in the Pre-K program at Timony Grammar School in Methuen. 

“Natalie enjoyed animals and playing with her friends. Natalie and her mother Rebecca were very active parishioners of First Baptist Church of Methuen where she made many friends. She will be forever remembered for her angelic voice and playful spirit. Natalie touched many people’s lives in her 5 short years” the statement read.

The girl’s mother was home at the time, working in another room with a friend, Solomon said in an interview. The friend’s 15-year-old daughter was watching her brother and Natalie.

At some point, the young girl slipped out of the house. Someone in the home called 911 at about 12:40 PM. when she didn’t turn up. Soon, the narrow road off Merrimack Street was clogged with police, firemen and news vehicles that remained there throughout the afternoon.

Police found a gap in the pool cover. They stripped it off and used poles to try to locate the girl, but could not see into the water. 

“The reason the girl was hard to find, the pool was murky and filled with muck,” Solomon said.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 30 Park St. Methuen at 10:00 AM.