Police rule death of boy, 4, in pool an accidental drowning

A 4-year-old Ellicott City boy apparently drowned in a neighbor's swimming pool yesterday, and police ruled the death an accident.

Police said Joshua Carpenter of the 4600 block of S. Leisure Court entered a neighbor's back yard about 5: 50 p.m. yesterday and either fell or jumped into an in-ground pool. They said Joshua's playmate ran to a nearby home, whose occupant pulled Joshua out of the water.

A medic crew from a county fire station in Ellicott City responded, administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the boy and then transported him to Howard County General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7: 05 p.m., police said.

Police were investigating the death, but ruled it accidental.

Pub Date: 6/17/97