Media Relations

The Fresno County Sheriff – Coroner Office has identified Freddy Lopez, 6, of Fresno as the boy who drowned Monday evening.

On June 8th, deputies were dispatched to Skaggs Bridge Park (5901 N. Madera Ave) regarding a missing child.  Visitors to the park began to help Lopez’ family search for him around 8:00 pm.  Relatives say they last remember seeing the boy around 7:00 pm, when he was swimming with his cousins in the San Joaquin River.  At 8:00 pm, other visitors to the park joined family members in their search for the boy.  A short time later, a 911 call was made to the Sheriff’s Office.  Deputies arrived, conducted an extensive search and found Lopez underwater shortly after 9:00 pm.  The child was brought to the shore and transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.  

This case is currently being treated as a tragic drowning.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public to be safe in and around water and to take simple measures to protect themselves.

1) Wear a life jacket.  Make sure children have one that fits them properly.

2) Stay close to shore if you are not an experienced swimmer.

3) Parents should watch their children at all times.

4) Do not mix alcohol and swimming.  Alcohol causes swimmers to    fatigue faster than normal and can create dangerous situations.

5)Understand that when it’s extremely hot outside you will get tired faster than usual.

6)Respect the water.  The current is often stronger than it appears.  There can be debris in the water, which is difficult to see and may cause hazardous situations for swimmers.  Be careful of the mud on the bottom of lakes and rivers, it’s easy to sink in some spots and get your feet stuck.