Child drowns at St. Petersburg motel during birthday party celebration

ST.PETERSBURG - Residents living at the Mosley Motel woke to feelings of grief Sunday morning.

"There is a lot of remorse and sadness," said Ray McGill.

At what should have been a happy time, St. Petersburg police say 5-year-old Jadan Justice drowned while a resident hosted a birthday party in the pool area at the Mosley Motel.  Ray McGill's two sons were at the party. The McGills left moments before the drowning.

"That is what families do. They have birthday parties and that is what it was a child's birthday party," said McGill.

Detectives said Justice's parents were inside their apartment and a 13-year old sibling was left in charge. They said Justice was playing in the shallow end of the pool when he slipped in. McGill and his sons were eating when they had a knock at their door asking if he knew CPR.

"The immediate need was to rush down and see if I could help in any means. That is what we should do as people," he said.

Detectives said another resident dove in, pulled Justice out and tried CPR, but it was too late.

The motel's slogan off 34th Street North in St. Petersburg touts "Where class meets economy" but according to police and the city, it is a nuisance. Last year they say they received more than eleven hundred calls within an 18 month period and ordered part of it to close.

But McGill said it is an okay place and his two sons stay every weekend with him at the Mosley.

"They love it. It is a nice community. The children have a good time. You just have to govern your children and make sure you know where they are at all times," said McGill.

The Police continue to investigate the drowning.