A 19-month-old child has died as a result of a drowning in a backyard swimming pool last night, July 7, at a home in White Plains.

According to Charles County Police, the toddler climbed up a ladder into an above ground swimming pool at the home located in the 4300 block of Middletown Road.

The toddler's mother called police around 8:30 p.m., to report her son missing. Police were dispatched to the scene to search for the child. Moments later, the mother found the unresponsive child in the backyard pool prior to the arrival of police.

The child was reported unconscious and was transported by ambulance to Civista Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. The child is identified as Jason Daniel Burke, Jr., 19 months old.

Investigation revealed the mother of the child had asked a 15-year-old relative to keep an eye on the child while the mom ran out for a bit. The teen agreed, as the child was supposedly sleeping in a bedroom. The teen for unknown reasons also left the home shortly after the mother. The mother has tried to call home but no one was answering, unable to reach anyone, she ventured back home to find a baby gate knocked down in the doorway of the toddler's bedroom. Unable to located the child, the mother called police and the search began.

The child's death has been ruled accidental. No charges are pending at this time.