PALM BAY, FL – A tragic incident unfolded at a Palm Bay hotel pool over the weekend, resulting in the death of a three-year-old boy. The child’s father, Sheriff Smith, 40, faces aggravated manslaughter charges after allegedly falling asleep while drinking, leaving his son unattended in the pool.
Authorities responded to the Quality Inn on Palm Bay Road following reports of a drowning. Upon arrival, officers discovered the unresponsive child, who was not breathing. Surveillance footage indicated the boy had been in the water for approximately 20 to 23 minutes.
A hotel housekeeper, working on the third floor, noticed the boy floating and rushed to the pool. She found Smith asleep on the pool steps, unaware of the situation. Despite her attempts to awaken him, she had to pull the child from the water herself, describing him as lifeless and foaming at the nose.
The housekeeper, lacking CPR training, attempted to resuscitate the child by pounding on his chest and opening his mouth. Smith eventually awoke but reacted with anger and profanity, failing to assist as the housekeeper pleaded for help.
Paramedics arrived and transported the boy to an Orlando hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Smith, uncooperative with police, did not provide an explanation for his condition and requested a ride to the hospital.
Initially charged with child neglect, Smith’s charges were elevated following the boy’s death. The family, visiting from Georgia for a work trip, is devastated by the loss. The boy’s mother had left the hotel about an hour before the tragic event.
Adding to Smith’s legal troubles, Palm Bay police confirmed he has an active warrant in Georgia for a DUI offense. The situation has left the community and hotel staff heartbroken, despite their quick response to the emergency.