Heartbreaking statement by New Jersey dad after 3-year-old son accidentally drowns in pool

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 07:30, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 07:56, 2 July 2026 The New Jersey father whose little boy accidentally drowned in the pool released a heartbreaking statement that said he wished he could have done more. Michael Stephen, of Blackwood, said that his life changed forever on Saturday when he found his three–year–old son, Elijah, 'face down in the water, motionless' at his family home's pool. Stephen, veteran and police officer, said he was at home when he suddenly spotted his three–year–old daughter Ella wet in a pull up and saying, 'Pool.' 'I see the back door has been opened and my heart sinks,' Stephen wrote on Monday. He said he and his wife Sandra Shevlin sprinted out and 'saw the worst thing any parent could ever see.' Elijah's lips were blue and he had no pulse, according to his dad, who immediately started lifesaving measures. Though first responders arrived within two minutes and the hospital managed to return Elijah's heartbeat, the family was told that 'the swelling of the brain is too much too soon and nothing more can be done.' 'Within the next few days, we are going to lose our sweet boy,' Stephen wrote. 'Even if he were to somehow miraculous survive, he would have no quality of life.' Elijah Stephen, 3, died Saturday at his family's pool in New Jersey. He was found by his father, Michael Stephen Stephen lamented that he 'wasn't fast enough' and said the images of his son 'will forever be burned into [his] mind' Stephen said the images of his son 'will forever be burned into my mind.' 'I wasn't fast enough,' he added. 'I failed. And I will spend everyday of my life replaying that.' The grieving father said he would switch places and give his life for his son. 'You don't know how real that feeling is until it's right in front of you,' Stephen said. 'Ill [sic] spend the rest of my days wondering what could have been. What he would have done. How Elijah could have changed the world.' However, Stephen also remembered Elijah as a 'sweet and gentle soul' who loved 'nothing more than to snuggle up and watch a movie before going to bed at 7.30 sharp.' Stephen said Elijah would be prepared for organ donation over the coming days. 'If we have the ability to prevent another parent from knowing this feeling, I'll do what I can,' he continued. 'Elijah would want that as well.' Stephen said he and his wife Sandra Shevlin sprinted out and 'saw the worst thing any parent could ever see' when they saw their son face down and motionless in the water Stephen was only called to the pool when he saw his 3–year–old daugher, Ella, and she said, 'Pool' Shevlin, Elijah's mom, also shared a heart wrenching tribute to her 'sweet and beautiful, handsome son' after the pool incident. 'I'm so sorry I failed you and couldn't protect you,' Shevlin wrote on Facebook. 'I'm forever broken.' Shevlin, who is an elementary school teacher, added that Elijah was 'too good for this earth,' as she mourned her son. A GoFundMe started by Elijah's aunt, Brittnie Hutchinson, said his parents were 'navigating a time of grief and uncertainty.' She asked for funds to provide support for the family, as well as to help their two other children. In addition to Elijah's twin sister Ella, the parents also have a 6–year–old son, Mickey, who has autism. The family wrote that Mickey's needs were especially significant. As of early Thursday, the fundraiser had raised about $54,000 of its $65,000 goal. The Daily Mail has reached out to Stephen and Shevlin for comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.