The St. Johns County community is rallying around the family of 3-year-old Jack Patzwald, who drowned Friday evening after being pulled from a Nocatee retention pond.
Emergency crews were called to Crystal Sands Court around 7:15 p.m. after multiple 911 callers reported that a little boy had been pulled from the water, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue spokesman Chris Naff.
When first responders arrived, they found Jack in cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures before rushing him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
It remains unclear how the toddler accessed the pond. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, neighbors and friends launched a fundraiser to support the Patzwald family amid their searing grief.
A GoFundMe page described the beloved boy as “a joyful, curious, and deeply loved little boy whose presence brought light to everyone who knew him. His smile, laughter, and energy touched the hearts of so many in his short time here.”
The organizer, identifying themselves as a neighbor of the family, wrote: “I’ve seen the love and care they poured into Jack’s life. Now, they are navigating the unimaginable pain of losing their son.”
The page explains that the family is facing the prospect of financial strain as they take time away from work to grieve.
“All donations will go directly to the Patzwald family to help cover lost income and allow them the space and time they need to begin processing this devastating loss,” it states.
The post closes by asking the community for support “whether through a contribution, kind message, or simply holding this family in your thoughts,” and adds, “Your support… means more than words can express.”
