Collier County family pushes for free swim lessons after toddler drowns

Published: Updated:
2-year-old Peter Mitchell

EAST NAPLES, Fla. Tuesday marked two weeks since 2-year-old Peter Mitchell drowned in a lake behind an apartment off Radio Road.

Peter was reported missing at around 7 p.m. on Oct. 3 at an apartment on the 400 block of Valerie Way.

His body was pulled from the water by a witness and taken to North Collier Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“I didn’t even know he could open doors. I came back and the dog is standing in the doorway and he’s no where to be found,” Peter’s mother Lacy Opper said. “Then a few short seconds later we see a sippy cup on the other side of the pond.”

MORE: Toddler drowns in lake behind East Naples home

Lacy Opper and her mother Erika Opper are working to get in touch with legislators to make free swim lessons a reality in Florida.

“We cant get him back, but we don’t want anyone else to lose their children,” Erika said.

Lacy and Erika want others to know the importance of teaching children how to swim.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.