Mardasia Forte dies in fatal West Chester Twp. drowning

Mardasia Forte dies in fatal West Chester Twp. drowning

Fatal West Chester Twp. drowning death of Mardasia Forte

Seven-year-old Mardasia Forte has been confirmed as the child who drowned Friday in a retention pond located in the 6600 block of Lakeside Drive in West Chester Township, according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office.

Police in West Chester Township were alerted just before noon about the disappearance of the young girl at the Lakota Lake Apartments, which is near the Butler Tech West Campus.

While officers were enroute, dispatch received word that the missing child had been discovered in a nearby retention pond. Despite officers arriving within minutes and immediately starting CPR, Mardasia was declared deceased at the scene.

Township Administrator Lisa Brown described the event as a heartbreaking loss for the community, especially following another recent drowning involving a child in the area.

Just days earlier in Morgan Township, 7-year-old Ian J. Pequignot died after submerging while swimming in a private pool with other children under supervision.

As investigations into the most recent incident continue, advocacy efforts have intensified around implementing safeguards such as fencing around retention ponds, especially in neighborhoods with children who have autism, who may be particularly drawn to water.