Topline: Surveillance video reportedly shows the toddler struggling in the water for over 20 minutes as the man remained unresponsive.
Published: July 31, 2025 8:00 am ET
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PALM BAY, FL — A 3-year-old boy drowned in a Florida hotel pool over the weekend while the man responsible for him slept nearby, leading to a charge of aggravated manslaughter.
The incident took place Saturday morning at the Quality Inn on Palm Bay Road in Palm Bay.
According to the arrest affidavit cited by WKMG, the child, identified in police documents as K.S., was discovered unresponsive in the deep end of the pool by a hotel housekeeper who happened to spot him from a third-floor window. The housekeeper immediately rushed to the pool area and began yelling for help, shouting at a man later identified as Sharef Omar Smith, 40, of Georgia.
Police say Smith was asleep on the pool steps and did not respond. She reportedly screamed, “Grab the baby!” but received no assistance.
Unable to wait, the housekeeper jumped into the pool and pulled the child out herself. Though she was not trained in CPR, she attempted to revive the boy by hitting his chest and trying to clear his airway, as reported by WOFL/Fox 35 Orlando.
Law&Crime reported the housekeeper pleaded for Smith to help, but he would not respond. He then allegedly said, “F*** you, b****,” followed by more profanity.
First responders arrived shortly after, but the child was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Palm Bay Police said the boy had been struggling in the water for more than 20 minutes while Smith, the only adult present, remained unresponsive. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the boy drowning in full view of Smith, who appears to be asleep throughout the ordeal, according to WOFL.
Police noted that Smith smelled strongly of alcohol, and hotel staff told investigators they saw a wine bottle in a bag next to him at the pool. Another bottle was found later in the hotel room. The child’s mother told police that Smith had not been drunk when she left the boy in his care, but confirmed that Smith was a “heavy drinker,” WKMG reported.
Smith was initially charged with child neglect with serious bodily injury but was later booked on a more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. He remains in custody without bond, according to online jail records.
Authorities also confirmed that Smith has an active DUI warrant out of Georgia.
No information has been released about Smith’s relationship to the child.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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3-Year-Old Drowns in Pool While Caregiver Sleeps Nearby, Refuses to Help with CPR
Surveillance video reportedly shows the toddler struggling in the water for over 20 minutes as the man remained unresponsive.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 31, 2025 8:00 am ET
PALM BAY, FL — A 3-year-old boy drowned in a Florida hotel pool over the weekend while the man responsible for him slept nearby, leading to a charge of aggravated manslaughter.
The incident took place Saturday morning at the Quality Inn on Palm Bay Road in Palm Bay.
According to the arrest affidavit cited by WKMG, the child, identified in police documents as K.S., was discovered unresponsive in the deep end of the pool by a hotel housekeeper who happened to spot him from a third-floor window. The housekeeper immediately rushed to the pool area and began yelling for help, shouting at a man later identified as Sharef Omar Smith, 40, of Georgia.
Police say Smith was asleep on the pool steps and did not respond. She reportedly screamed, “Grab the baby!” but received no assistance.
Unable to wait, the housekeeper jumped into the pool and pulled the child out herself. Though she was not trained in CPR, she attempted to revive the boy by hitting his chest and trying to clear his airway, as reported by WOFL/Fox 35 Orlando.
Law&Crime reported the housekeeper pleaded for Smith to help, but he would not respond. He then allegedly said, “F*** you, b****,” followed by more profanity.
First responders arrived shortly after, but the child was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Palm Bay Police said the boy had been struggling in the water for more than 20 minutes while Smith, the only adult present, remained unresponsive. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the boy drowning in full view of Smith, who appears to be asleep throughout the ordeal, according to WOFL.
Police noted that Smith smelled strongly of alcohol, and hotel staff told investigators they saw a wine bottle in a bag next to him at the pool. Another bottle was found later in the hotel room. The child’s mother told police that Smith had not been drunk when she left the boy in his care, but confirmed that Smith was a “heavy drinker,” WKMG reported.
Smith was initially charged with child neglect with serious bodily injury but was later booked on a more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. He remains in custody without bond, according to online jail records.
Authorities also confirmed that Smith has an active DUI warrant out of Georgia.
No information has been released about Smith’s relationship to the child.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
3-Year-Old Drowns in Pool While Caregiver Sleeps Nearby, Refuses to Help with CPR
Surveillance video reportedly shows the toddler struggling in the water for over 20 minutes as the man remained unresponsive.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 31, 2025 8:00 am ET
PALM BAY, FL — A 3-year-old boy drowned in a Florida hotel pool over the weekend while the man responsible for him slept nearby, leading to a charge of aggravated manslaughter.
The incident took place Saturday morning at the Quality Inn on Palm Bay Road in Palm Bay.
According to the arrest affidavit cited by WKMG, the child, identified in police documents as K.S., was discovered unresponsive in the deep end of the pool by a hotel housekeeper who happened to spot him from a third-floor window. The housekeeper immediately rushed to the pool area and began yelling for help, shouting at a man later identified as Sharef Omar Smith, 40, of Georgia.
Police say Smith was asleep on the pool steps and did not respond. She reportedly screamed, “Grab the baby!” but received no assistance.
Unable to wait, the housekeeper jumped into the pool and pulled the child out herself. Though she was not trained in CPR, she attempted to revive the boy by hitting his chest and trying to clear his airway, as reported by WOFL/Fox 35 Orlando.
Law&Crime reported the housekeeper pleaded for Smith to help, but he would not respond. He then allegedly said, “F*** you, b****,” followed by more profanity.
First responders arrived shortly after, but the child was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Palm Bay Police said the boy had been struggling in the water for more than 20 minutes while Smith, the only adult present, remained unresponsive. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the boy drowning in full view of Smith, who appears to be asleep throughout the ordeal, according to WOFL.
Police noted that Smith smelled strongly of alcohol, and hotel staff told investigators they saw a wine bottle in a bag next to him at the pool. Another bottle was found later in the hotel room. The child’s mother told police that Smith had not been drunk when she left the boy in his care, but confirmed that Smith was a “heavy drinker,” WKMG reported.
Smith was initially charged with child neglect with serious bodily injury but was later booked on a more serious charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. He remains in custody without bond, according to online jail records.
Authorities also confirmed that Smith has an active DUI warrant out of Georgia.
No information has been released about Smith’s relationship to the child.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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