19-month-old drowns while playing at family's home on New Year's Eve
By Lukina Walker (WMC)
Quitman County, MS
A 19-month-old died New Year's Eve while playing in his uncle's yard.
Family members said the child fell into a ditch filled with water. The child was rushed to a hospital in Marks, Mississippi, but later died.
The child was playing at a home in Lambert, which is a town in Quitman county.
"I knew something wasn't right when I walked out and they said they couldn't find him," the child's grandmother Rosetta King said. "Usually he will answer you when you call him."
King said she cannot explain the hurt she feels after the death of her grandson Kaisen Quarles.
"I missed him before he got away from here. When I couldn't find him, I missed him from that moment on--always going to miss him," King said.
Quarles was playing with other children when he somehow ended up in the water.
A family friend found him, jumped in, pulled Quarles out, and gave him CPR. They then rushed him to the hospital, but doctors were not able to save the boy.
"This is the first time hes ever been close to the water. We don't understand what made him go to the water," King said.
She said Quarles loved to run and play. Despite being only 19-months-old, he made a huge impact on their family.
"He was a sweet little fella. Happy--always happy."
King said anyone with a small child should hold them close and never let them out of your sight.
"When you got one that small and that fast, you better tie your belt to him and hook him to you," King said.