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6-year-old drowns while playing with brother near Lackawanna pond

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 6-year-old drowned in waist-deep water after he fell in a retention pond while playing with his brother in Lackawanna on Sunday.

The two boys were playing near the edge of the retention pond on Nolan Street around 5:50 p.m. on Sunday when the 6-year-old fell in. His 8-year-old brother ran to get his family members at a house down the road, according to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

The victim, who was identified by police as Jamarion Lee, did not know how to swim. Crews with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department found him underwater and brought him to shore. Jamarion was taken to Baptist Health, but he did not survive.

The pond is very muddy at the bottom, according to JSO. They said the boy was under water for 6 to 8 minutes.

Officers said they are not sure why the boys were playing near the pond.

Neighbors said there are several retention ponds in the area that do not have fences around it. They said they are concerned that another child could get hurt.

"Kids are always running by after school playing in the retention pond throwing stuff in there," said a neighbor who did not want to be identified.

She also said her heart goes out to the family.

"I'm going to pray for you," she said. "I cant imagine what you're going through."

A Department of Children and Families representative said they are concerned and are involved.

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This is the retention pond on Nolan Street where a 6-year-old Jacksonville boy drowned after he fell in the water while playing with his brother. http://bit.ly/1SXhEku

Posted by Action News Jax on Sunday, May 8, 2016