Heartbreak in the south tonight following the death of a three-year-old boy. Little Asher Mejia was reported missing on Sunday afternoon, sparking a search that ended in tragedy when he was found drowned in the sea off Punta Gorda town. Our reporter Jaleeza Roberts went shout today and has this report:
Three year old Asher Mejia, the youngest of 7 siblings, was found in the water here, near the wharf on Front Street in Punta Gorda Town, across from St. Peter Claver School shortly after midday on Sunday.
The child had been missing from his home for a few hours and frantic searches led his brothers here - where he was found unresponsive in the water.
A truck driver told police that three of Asher's older brothers were already looking for the child in the area. Moments later, one of them pulled the boy from the water. Desperate attempts were made to resuscitate him, with the truck driver performing CPR police rushed him to the PG hospital - where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"On Sunday 15th of March 2026 sometime after 12 midday, Punta Gorda police were advised of the presence of a young minor namely 3 year old Asher Mejia who had suffered from a drowning incident near St Peter Claver school in that town. Police responded and they ferried the young Mr Mejia to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Initial investigation suggests that sometime around 11:00am Mejia is believed to have left his residence and his parents was of the view that he had accompanied siblings of his to a nearby store to purchase snacks it was only when those siblings returned and Mejia was not along with him that they were aware of his disappearance. Efforts were made to discover him and that concluded when he was found in the sea in the aforementioned area."
The toddler's death has stunned and saddened the southern town as the child was only 3 years old and comes from a known family:
Jahrine Avila, Deputy Mayor - PG
"This is a very unfortunate situation that happened here yesterday in Punta Gorda Town and of course we're all saddened by this news but just to put comment, we just want to share that this is a police matter and investigation that is going on. We don't want to add any prejudice to this investigation at this time but we do offer our sincere condolences to the family."
"I do know the child, he visited the Punta Gorda library two weeks ago for Child Simulation Month."
"He was a very smart, friendly child, he enjoyed engaging with the toys when visiting the library and of course the church that they attend so I know him to be a very sweet child, he's only 3 years old so that's as much as I can say."
Three years old - but questions are being raised about what kind of supervision he had at home - where his father is a pastor and his mother is a domestic. He had disappeared just the days before and turned back up.
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"What I have been advised by OC Punta Gorda is I think some 3 days prior his parents would have visited the Punta Gorda Police station and reported him missing after their efforts to locate him proved futile however shortly after that he was located in a, I believe a little dog house in a neighbors property the parents suggested that given on this occasion that he had done similar in the past and they had not reported it immediately and this is the result."
A result of a child alone, adrift at sea. Most alarming is that the wharf is a mile from his home on Pampana street -a 15 or 20 minute walk even for an adult:
Reporter
"In a case as this one, do police look at charging for negligence?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"We have recorded statements and those statements will be forwarded to the office of the Director of public prosecutions for their guidance what I will comment on is that the area where the child was found is reported to be some one mile away from his home so this suggest that there was for a considerable period of time this child walking on the street and that for me presented an opportunity for persons to have intercepted him and done the needful. This is not the first instance I could recall with much regret, the instance with baby Orellana from Stella Maris where he was seen on the street and again persons did not intercede. I know Easter is coming up shortly and there will be more children who will be at home and though we encourage parents to improve their supervision there is also a role for those in society to play when these incidents happen and they observe these very young children or children with diverse abilities on the street and without proper supervision."
Police are now reviewing surveillance cameras in the area to see how he entered the sea.
We did speak to the Asher's father, who declined an on-camera interview. He said he who rejects claims that he and his wife were not taking care of their son, offering that his 6 surviving children are evidence that he knows how to care for young ones.
