MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. – A Menomonee Falls family lost their 11-year-old son in a drowning accident at a birthday party. As the family grieves, they also have many questions about how it happened.
Photo provided
Michael Hudziak was supposed to be enjoying the last weeks of summer before starting middle school. Instead, according to his family, he had to be taken off life support at the children’s hospital yesterday and they had to say goodbye to him.
Michael Hudziak’s family looks back on the wonderful memories today.
Photo provided
“I told him that one of the greatest gifts God has ever given us as humans is memories. As long as we hold on to memories, they will stay with us forever,” said his aunt Kelly Jenkins.
Watch: 11-year-old Menomonee Falls boy drowns at birthday party
11-year-old boy from Menomonee Falls drowns at birthday party
She was Michael’s great aunt, but more like a grandmother. She took on that role when her sister, Michael’s grandmother, died. Aunt Kelly and Michael had a special relationship, even though she lived in Michigan and Michael lived in Menomonee Falls. They spoke regularly on FaceTime.
TMj4
“We would stay for hours. He just loved knowing I was watching him. He liked to dance, like I said, or I would watch him play video games. We would also play games like ‘Would You Rather?'” Kelly said.
Photo provided
She says Michael’s other passion was swimming. He was very excited to go to a birthday party with a pool last Saturday. She says the water didn’t get over Michael’s head and he was a good swimmer. She was told the kids might have been playing some kind of game in the pool, but she doesn’t understand how no one could have noticed Michael was in trouble.
Photo provided
“The kids were getting out of the pool and one of the girls turned around and saw him underwater. Then he was discovered,” Kelly said.
They don’t know how long Michael was under anesthesia. He was taken to the children’s hospital, where he was put on a ventilator. He died five days later.
Photo provided
“I want answers for Michael,” Kelly said. “There’s just no title for someone who loses their own child, you know. It just leaves a void. You’re left with a void yourself.”
The family has hired an attorney to get more answers to these questions. The family has also started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Michael’s medical expenses and now funeral expenses.
Talk to us:
Hi! At TMJ4 News, we listen to our audience and address the things that really matter to you. Have a story idea, a tip, or just want to chat about this article? Contact us using the form below. For more contact options, visit tmj4.com/tips.
It’s time to pay attention to your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error // Send a news tip
