Man, 3-year-old son die in suspected drowning at pool in Novi

Autopsies scheduled Wednesday

NOVI, Mich. – A 31-year-old man and his 3-year-old son were playing poolside at the Glens of Northville apartment complex Tuesday evening before they were pulled from the water and pronounced dead. 

What happened is unclear. Police found a tricycle and small toys near the pool, but what led to both the man and toddler ending up in the water is not known. 

"Just before the 911 call, a couple and their infant child were walking into the clubhouse. They happened to glance over and see what they thought was at least one person floating in the pool. They ran into the office, grabbed the employees there, they all ran outside and started to pull two individuals out of the pool," said Novi Asst. Police Chief Jerrod Hart. 

Police said the family is from India. The father was identified as Nagavaju Surepalli and the boy as Ananth Surepalli. They were pronounced dead about 6 p.m. Tuesday

Police believe the boy fell into the deep end of the pool while riding a tricycle and the father jumped in to rescue him. The water is 5 feet deep, but neither were experienced swimmers.

The couple had just one child. 

"As you can imagine, we have a very distraught wife and mother, and she's just trying to deal with the tremendous grief right now before we get into too many questions," said Hart. 

Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday. 

The clubhouse is right next to the pool at the Glens of Northville apartment complex in the 20900 block of Woodland Glen Drive. For now, there are no witnesses. 

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About the Author:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.