Dad Mike Stephen said they sprinted to the back of the house to find “the worst thing any parent could ever see"
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/michael-elijah-stephen-gofundme-070326-45d78464b5314b2397feee564c151dbf.jpg "Michael and Elijah Stephen")
Credit: GoFundMe
NEED TO KNOW
- A New Jersey family is mourning 3-year-old Elijah “Eli” Stephen, who died after a backyard drowning accident on June 27
- Eli’s father recalled the moment he found his son face down in the family pool, sharing that it was the worst thing any parent could ever see
- Amid their grief, Eli’s parents chose to donate his organs, and a GoFundMe has been launched to support the family and Eli’s siblings
A New Jersey family is grappling with the loss of their 3-year-old son, who drowned in the family's backyard pool.
The accident occurred in Washington Township on Saturday, June 27, according to local outlets NJ.com and the Daily Voice.
“Our community has always shown that when one family hurts, we all hurt. Today, Mike and Sandi need that love and support more than ever," Washington Township community Council President Peter Del Borrello III wrote in a message about Elijah's death.
"Eli was known for his bright smile, beautiful blue eyes, kind heart, and the joy he brought to everyone fortunate enough to know him. Although his life was far too short, the impact he made will never be forgotten," Del Borrello added.
Mike Stephen, a police officer, and educator Sandi Shevlin are also parents to Eli's twin sister Ella and their 6-year-old son Mickey.
Local police and fire departments did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional information.
In his own heartbreaking social media post, Eli's father remembered the moment he and his wife discovered their son in the pool.
“Saturday night our lives changed forever,” Stephen wrote.
“We see Ella, standing in my kitchen wet in a pull up, I ask her why she is wet. [She] says ‘pool.' I see the back door has been opened and my heart sinks,” he continued, adding that they sprinted to the back of the house to find “the worst thing any parent could ever see.”
As Shevlin rushed to call 911, Stephen performed CPR on Eli until paramedics arrived to transport him to the hospital.
Credit: GoFundMe
While doctors were able to get Eli's heartbeat back, according to his dad, the swelling in his brain was ultimately too severe for him to survive. “Nothing more can be done,” Stephen wrote.
As he grapples with his grief, the boy's dad spoke about how he wished there was more he could have done.
“The images will forever be burned into my mind. I wasn't fast enough," he wrote. “[I'll] spend the rest of my days wondering what could have been. What he would have done. How Elijah could have changed the world."
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Stephen, who said he'll “also spend the rest of my life remembering the sweet and gentle soul he is," shared that the family planned to donate their son's organs.
“If we have the ability to prevent another parent from knowing this feeling, I'll do what I can. Elijah would want that as well,” he said.
Eli's mother, Sandi, also shared a post about the tragedy on Facebook.
“My son, my sweet and beautiful, handsome son. I'm so sorry I failed you and couldn't protect you. I'm forever broken," she wrote. "You were too good for this earth. You are the strongest boy there is and you make mommy so proud."
A GoFundMe has since been established by Eli's aunt, Brittnie Hutchinson, to support the family “as they adjust to this new reality.”
“The funds raised will provide direct support for the family, allowing them the space to grieve and access therapy and specialized assistance for Ella and Mickey,” Hutchinson wrote on the fundraising page.
“Your generosity will help ensure that Ella and Mickey receive the care and support they need," she added, "and that Mike and Sandi can focus on healing together."
In his own message, Stephen shared a powerful message about cherishing every moment with your children.
"Don’t ever take it for granted. Hug your babies. Hug them longer, hug them tighter. Don’t hesitate to embarrass them with love in front of their friends," he wrote. "You never know when it will be the last."
