Musiq Jordan-Dye drowned in a retention pond at the Paradise Island Apartment Homes on Jacksonville’s Southside on Oct. 2, 2023.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of a 2-year-old girl who drowned in a Jacksonville apartment complex’s retention pond in October 2023, has filed a lawsuit against the apartment complex Tuesday, according to a news release.
A missing persons call to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office turned into a recovery mission when Musiq Jordan-Dye was found in the pond at Paradise Island Apartment Homes on Oct. 2, 2023.
The large retention pond has no fence or barrier, only a warning sign that says “no swimming or wading.”
First responders performed CPR on Musiq, but she was taken to the hospital where she died. A 2-year-old and a 4-year-old also lost their lives in 2023 from drowning in retention ponds in Jacksonville.
Musiq’s family says the toddler had “no issue” accessing the retention pond, saying that it was “unsecured.”
“The retention pond was not maintained in a manner compliant with mandatory codes, laws, and regulations, as well as industry standards,” the release states. “The complex’s owners and management have a duty to residents and guests to maintain the pond in a reasonably safe manner. Not only was there no gate or fence but there was (and remains) a dangerous side slope, which increased the risk of drowning.”
