UPDATE: A hearing on June 30, 2021, a just dismissed the case against Kareem Sigler saying there was not enough evidence to support the charge of gross negligence.
A Mumford High School swimming teacher has been charged in the Feb. 24 drowning death of a student.
RELATED: Mumford High School student dies after being found submerged in school's swimming pool
Kareem Sigler, 47, is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 15-year-old De'Sean Blanding, prosecutors said Tuesday.
“We are alleging that the evidence in this case shows that the death of Mr. Blanding could have been prevented," Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. "While swimming pools are certainly desirable, they can also be death traps without proper, necessary, and needed supervision and preparedness.”
Blanding was swimming in Sigler's morning class the day of the incident. Sometime after the class had begun, students notified Sigler, who was in another room at the time, that Blanding was at the bottom of the school's pool.
RELATED: Mom wants answers for son found dead in Mumford High pool
Sigler then dove into the water and with the help of other students, pulled Blanding from the pool. They then called 911.
Blanding was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to the charges announced by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Sigler was allegedly "grossly negligent" when he failed to supervise the student inside the pool, which resulted in Blanding's death.
The charge for Sigler is a felony with a 15-year maximum sentence.
