I am writing this with a heavy heart as a mother who tragically lost her 22-month-old daughter, Lily Mae, in October 2024. My daughter's death was a devastating accident that could have been prevented, and I feel compelled to advocate for stronger pool safety laws to prevent other families from enduring the same unimaginable loss.

Lily Mae drowned in a pool on a property where the renters had installed a pool against the terms of their leasing contract. The lease explicitly prohibited pools, yet the pool remained in place for over six months without any proper safety measures. The sliding glass door lacked a lock, the patio door was broken and unsecured, and the screen was torn, allowing children unrestricted access to the outdoors. A removable ladder was left in the pool, providing immediate access to water at all times.

On that tragic day, my oldest daughter, only three years old, unintentionally left the house with her little sister, 22 months old, and, unable to understand the danger, watched helplessly as Lily Mae entered the pool and drowned. This tragedy was entirely preventable. It underscores the urgent need for legislation requiring anyone with a pool on their property, or installing one, to complete a safety education class on pool safety measures. Such measures include ensuring proper fencing, alarms, locks, and safety covers are in place. If safety precautions are neglected and a drowning occurs, the responsible parties should be held legally accountable.

Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death among children in Florida. We must take steps to reduce these preventable tragedies. I urge you to consider implementing laws that hold pool owners—whether homeowners or renters—liable if safety measures were not properly enforced or installed, especially in cases where the pool was added illegally or against lease agreements.

My daughter’s death has left a lifetime of pain and questions. No family should have to endure such grief, and no child should be lost due to preventable negligence. Please help us make Florida safer for children by enacting stronger pool safety laws and ensuring accountability.

Please sign this petition to urge Florida lawmakers to pass legislation mandating pool safety education and accountability.