Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Crimes Against Children Unit

Lealman Fire Rescue

Kavina Navanetharaj (Drowning victim deceased)
DOB: 04/20/2018
Address: 5984 Dunfries Street North, in unincorporated St Petersburg

Sureka Sivalingam (Mother of the victim)
DOB: 09/17/1985
Address: 5984 Dunfries Street North, in unincorporated St Petersburg

What:                                            
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit are investigating the drowning of a 2-month-old baby girl who was found submerged in the family’s bathtub in unincorporated St Petersburg. Detectives say the incident appears to be accidental in nature.

When:
The drowning occurred at about 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2018.

Where:
The incident occurred at a private residence located at, 5984 Dunfries Street North in unincorporated St Petersburg.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit are investigating the drowning of a 2-month-old baby girl who was found submerged in the family’s bathtub in unincorporated St Petersburg. Detectives say the incident appears to be accidental in nature.

According to detectives, the mother of the baby, 32-year-old Sureka Sivalingam, prepared a bath for 2-month-old Kavina Navanetharaj. Sureka placed a transportable infant bath tub inside the residential bathtub and filled the infant bath tub with water. Detectives say Sureka placed Kavina into the infant bathtub and Sureka climbed into the residential tub that was void of water.

After almost an hour, a family member went into the bathroom to check on Sureka and found her unresponsive inside the residential bathtub. Kavina was found unresponsive and submerged in the infant bathtub.  

A family member pulled Kavina from the water and called 911. The family member performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until Lealman Fire Rescue personnel arrived on scene. Paramedics took over CPR.

Kavina and Sureka were both transported by ambulance, to St. Petersburg General Hospital.

Kavina was pronounced deceased at the hospital at about 5:11 pm. Sureka was treated and released from the hospital.

Detectives say Sureka appears to have suffered a medical episode that caused her to lose consciousness while bathing Kavina. Kavina’s death appears to be accidental in nature.

The investigation continues.