Georgia 44 Year Old Grandma Charged With Manslaughter After Two Year Old Grandson Drowns in Pool
A Georgia pool drowning that shocked a local community last month has now entered a different phase after investigators completed weeks of evidence gathering, bringing the case into the criminal justice system instead of leaving it as a fatal accident under review.
The decision follows a month-long investigation that included surveillance footage and witness interviews. Authorities say their findings led them to conclude the case should move forward with criminal charges, though court proceedings are only beginning.
According to PEOPLE, Roswell police have charged 44-year-old grandmother Emelisa Paz-Santos with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree cruelty to children following the drowning death of her 2-year-old grandson, Axel Delgado. Fulton County jail records show she surrendered on July 14 before being formally charged the following day.
The investigation turned to accountability
The charges stem from an incident on June 21 at the Harbor Landing clubhouse pool in Roswell, Georgia. Officers, firefighters and paramedics responded after reports of a child drowning and found bystanders performing CPR on Axel. He was taken to a hospital, where he died the following day.
Authorities have not alleged that the incident involved intentional violence. Instead, the prosecution centers on whether the level of supervision provided that evening met the legal standard required under Georgia law. That distinction is likely to remain central as the case moves through the court system.
Police said detectives reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed people who attended the gathering before reaching their decision. According to investigators, Paz-Santos “failed to provide adequate care and supervision for Delgado, resulting in his drowning.”
Authorities did not announce charges immediately after the incident. Detectives continued reviewing evidence over the following weeks before Paz-Santos surrendered to police on July 14. Court records show she was formally charged the next day. The case will now move through the legal process, where prosecutors will present the evidence supporting the charges.
The drowning drew support from residents in the apartment community, where neighbors expressed sympathy for Axel’s family as they dealt with the loss. “I’m feeling really, really sorry for the family that had that loss,” neighbor Mary Emily Landers said. “As they navigate that, I hope they feel the support from the community, both within this community, apartment community, and also outside of it. It truly is such a loss.”
Jail records show Paz-Santos received a $35,000 surety bond on the involuntary manslaughter charge and a $5,000 surety bond on the second-degree cruelty to children charge. The records also indicate she is being held on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.
The investigation remains ongoing. Roswell police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the department or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta. The police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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