Teen drowns in Aquebogue pool
14-year-old visiting from Brooklyn dead
By Michael White
A 14-year-old Brooklyn boy visiting an older sister in Aquebogue drowned last Thursday while he and other children played in a neighbor's pool, authorities said.
"He was apparently a non-swimmer or weak swimmer and not everyone was aware of that," said Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale. "By the time they noticed, he was in trouble.
"It is a tragedy."
The police officers who responded to the home at 43 Crystal Drive found the teen, later identified as Jordan Benoit, "not breathing and without a pulse," according to a police report.
He was pulled from the bottom of the deep end by others who were at what Mr. Cardinale described as a pool party. Five adults and 10 children were at the gathering, he said.
The boy was rushed by ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center where he died shortly after 5 p.m., police said. No criminal charges were expected, according to authorities.
Riverhead Town code enforcement officers were still investigating the incident, said Kevin Maccabee, senior town investigator.
He said residents should call the Housing Investigation Taskforce hotline, at 727-3200, ext. 612, with any complaints about the safety of pools, which are regulated by the town.
All calls will be kept confidential, he said.
