Attorney: Teen drowns because of LAUSD negligence

EAST LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The family of a 16-year-old boy with autism who drowned in a swimming pool at a school event in East Los Angeles is blaming the Los Angeles Unified School District for his death, their attorney said.

Erick Ortiz, a sophomore at Garfield High School, drowned at a public pool at Atlantic Park in the 500 block of South Atlantic Boulevard around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, said Luis Carrillo, the family's attorney. He was attending an annual end-of-the-year event called the Global Studies Bash.

He was fully clothed when he was found in the pool. Authorities said they were not sure if Ortiz had jumped into the pool or was pushed into the deep end. Witnesses told sheriff's deputies that he sank, resurfaced, took a breath and sank again. Ortiz was taken to the hospital, where he died.

"The negligence of the LAUSD caused the death of a 16-year-old special-needs child who was left alone and unattended in a swimming pool area," Carrillo said.

Ortiz had a full-time teaching assistant assigned to him since 2012, Carrillo said.

Ortiz's family, who spoke during a news conference Thursday morning in South Pasadena, says the school field trip was supposed to be kept confined to Atlantic Park and that Ortiz had no reason to be anywhere near the pool.

"We want answers to why my brother was left alone," said Ortiz's sister, Leslie. "Where was the TA? Why wasn't he with him? Why wasn't he taking care of him?"

The school district said officials had reached out to Ortiz's parents. Crisis counselors were available on campus.

"The District extends heartfelt condolences to the family on its tragic loss. The District will continue to cooperate with the ongoing law enforcement investigation," LAUSD officials said.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are investigating the incident.