Ohio Boy Drowns in Neighbor’s Pool After Wandering from Home: 'This Is Not Fair,' Says Dad

Marcus Hall, 2, was found by authorities after his mother reported him missing

A 2-year-old Ohio boy died in an apparent drowning on Wednesday after he wandered from his home and entered his next-door neighbor’s pool, according to authorities. 

In a statement shared with PEOPLE Monday, Police Chief Brandon H. Begin said officers initially responded to a call in Oregon, Ohio, around 10:34 a.m. local time about a 4-year-old boy outside by himself wearing a diaper and accompanied by a dog. When authorities arrived at the scene, according to Begin, they found the child and the dog back inside the home.

Begin also said that officers spoke with the 4-year-old’s mother — who had been sleeping when the incident occurred — and advised her of safety measures that need to be taken to ensure the well-being of her children.

The chief added that his officers left the residence after their discussion with the mother, who never mentioned to them that her other son, later identified by ABC affiliate WTVG-TV as 2-year-old Marcus Hall, had disappeared.

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About 45 minutes later, the mother called 911 to report that Marcus was missing, per Begin's statement. When officers arrived at the home, they checked a neighbor’s above-ground pool that sat directly behind the family’s property. Authorities said the pool was not fully enclosed with a fence and had a ladder outside. That was when officers found Marcus in the pool.

“One officer immediately jumped into the pool to get the child out,” said Begin in his statement. “He quickly handed the child off to another officer who walked the child out to an awaiting police cruiser. Our officer attempted CPR on the infant while another officer drove them to St. Charles Hospital, which is approximately 1 mile from the home of the child. Lifesaving attempts were made by hospital staff, but unfortunately the child did not survive.”

Related: 19-Month-Old Twins Who Drowned in Backyard Pool 'Always Wanted to Be Together,' Godmother Says

Police noted that Marcus’ unidentified 4-year-old brother was unharmed in the incident.

In an interview with WTVG, Marcus’ father, Anthony Hall, described his late son, who was also known as Mar Mar, as a “cool little dude.” Anthony, who was at work at the time, told the station that Marcus was “very energetic. He learned quickly. He was very smart.”

In a GoFundMe created by Anthony to raise money for his son's funeral expenses, he wrote, “This story [breaks] my heart every time i have to tell it he was only two years old this is not fair to baby Marcus so please anything help i just want my baby to be able to rest, i cant [imagine] what was going though his mind during all this.”

More than $2,100 has been raised as of Monday afternoon. PEOPLE has reached out to Anthony for comment.

Related: California Daycare Pool Drowning Victims Identified as 1-Year-Old Girls as Investigation Continues

Begin said that the incident is under investigation and that charges are very likely to be filed.

“The issue with the pool fence is a zoning issue and the City of Oregon Building and Zoning Department has been notified of the situation and they are handling that end of it, “ Begin said, per the statement. “Lucas County Children’s Services responded to the hospital after the incident to meet with the family.”

The police chief described what happened as a terrible tragedy. "We are all mourning the loss of a young boy in a very tragic accident," he said, "which was avoidable with the correct safety measures. I truly hope that this situation will open the eyes to other parents and those who have pools to the dangers presented in this situation and that everyone takes the steps to ensure the safety of children in the community."

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