An 18-month-old girl has died of an apparent drowning and her older brother is hospitalized in what officials describe as grave condition.
The girl and her 2-year-old brother were found unresponsive in a pool at 10011 Sunset Ave. Monday, said San Diego County sheriff's deputies.
Their mother was visiting a park resident when the children wandered off and ended up unresponsive in the pool, according to the sheriff's department.
The mother initially told investigators that the children were in the pool at the Lamplighter Mobile Home Park, instead of the pool at the Sunset Avenue residence. Lt. Glenn Giannantonio said the reason she did not provide the actual location was to protect the homeowner from getting into trouble.
In an attempt to get the children to the hospital, the mother and her friend drove the children in a black pickup truck to Grossmont Hospital.
On the way, they stopped outside La Mesa Fire Station 13 Grossmont Boulevard and asked firefighters to help deputies said.
Firefighters administered first aid and took the children and their mother to Sharp Grossmont.
Staff pronounced the girl dead and transported the boy to Rady Children's Hospital for further treatment.
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The mother's friend left the scene of the fire station prompting a search by authorities. Deputies believe the man may be wanted on an unrelated warrant. He has not been located.
While investigators looked at the home on Sunset Avenue, they located a marijuana grow in the basement. Narcotics Task Force investigators have been called to the scene.
Investigators want to speak with the man who drove the children to the hospital to corroborate the mother's story and want to stress they do not consider him at fault in the drowning.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at 858-974-2321.
