Louisiana doctor charged after boy drowns at Florida pool

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 00:31 · Archive

A Louisiana physician is accused of failing to intervene as a seven-year-old boy drowned in front of her at a Florida community pool.

Sukanthini Subbiah, 48, was charged with aggravated manslaughter this week following the death of seven-year-old Khushil Bandi at the Everbe Clubhouse pool in Orlando on 10 April. Subbiah, a physician from Louisiana, was visiting family in the area when she brought Khushil, his twin sister and her own son to the pool for a play date.

Surveillance footage showed the children entering the pool at 6:19 p.m. Within a minute, evidence showed Khushil had begun 'splashing vigorously' and drowning. According to authorities, Subbiah watched as the child struggled in the water and sent the two other children to help him instead of intervening herself. Khushil remained in the pool for seven minutes before Subbiah alerted another poolgoer, who jumped in to retrieve him as the other children began 'yelling and screaming'.

Subbiah attempted CPR on the boy, but he died from his injuries. Police initially treated the drowning as accidental, but after reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews, investigators concluded Subbiah's conduct was 'culpably negligent'. A detective wrote that Subbiah 'was the sole adult responsible for the decedent, was present while the emergency unfolded, had the knowledge and opportunity to recognise the danger, and had the ability to intervene'. Her failure to do so allowed Khushil's submersion and oxygen deprivation to continue. Subbiah was booked into Orange County Jail on Monday.

How it is being reported

• Doctor allegedly watched as boy, 7, drowned at community pool for several minutes— and sent other kids to save himKhushil Bandi was drowning in the pool for a shocking seven minutes before he was pulled from the water.New York Post · 9 Oct, 00:06
• Female doctor stood and watched as boy, 7, drowned in swimming pool, police claimA Louisiana doctor is accused of wasting five crucial minutes while a young child in her care was drowning right in front of her.Daily Mail · 8 Oct, 17:13

In this story: Sukanthini Subbiah · Khushil Bandi · Everbe Clubhouse pool · Orlando · Louisiana · Florida

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