Zale and Saxon Dudas die in tragic Florida pool accident
Fatal Florida pool drowning of Zale and Saxon Dudas – Obituary
Suzie Dudas has shared her deep distress following the tragic drowning of her two children, Zale, 9, and Saxon, 7, who were using scuba tanks in a friend’s pool. The incident occurred when the children, accompanied by their father, visited a friend’s house after school.
During their playdate, they attempted to use scuba equipment, but Ms. Dudas believes the tanks contained helium instead of oxygen. This led to them losing consciousness underwater, as helium is not suitable for breathing in such scenarios.
Their father, an experienced scuba diver, discovered the children at the bottom of the pool and immediately began CPR. Ms. Dudas was alerted by a phone call from her ex-husband and rushed to the hospital. Despite efforts to revive them, Zale and Saxon passed away on April 27, 2021, four days after the incident.
The 46-year-old mother, a farmer from Palm Beach, Florida, expressed the immense grief, anger, and disbelief she feels. She described the moment of discovering the tragedy, noting the intense emotional impact of seeing her children in such a state.
In May 2022, the Florida State Attorney’s Office decided not to pursue charges, calling it a “heartbreaking tragedy.” Ms. Dudas is advocating for the case to be revisited and is sharing her story on social media under the handle @justiceforzaleandsaxon.
Florida State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl commented, “Our office has thoroughly reviewed the Sheriff’s investigation and additional information from the mother. After extensive legal research, it was concluded that criminal charges could not be pursued in this tragic event. The law and facts do not support criminal prosecution, and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office agrees with this decision. Our findings were shared with the mother and her legal team, addressing their concerns. While we sympathize with those affected and understand the desire for accountability, it cannot be achieved through the criminal justice system.”
Fatal Florida pool drowning of Zale and Saxon Dudas – Obituary Suzie Dudas has shared her deep distress following the tragic drowning of her two children, Zale, 9, and Saxon, 7, who were using scuba tanks in a friend’s pool. The incident occurred when the children, accompanied by their father, visited a friend’s house after…
Fatal Florida pool drowning of Zale and Saxon Dudas – Obituary Suzie Dudas has shared her deep distress following the tragic drowning of her two children, Zale, 9, and Saxon, 7, who were using scuba tanks in a friend’s pool. The incident occurred when the children, accompanied by their father, visited a friend’s house after…