Toddler drowns in canal behind Harrison Township home

Chloe Lawson found not breathing in canal behind home

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A 19-month-old girl was found not breathing Wednesday night in a canal behind her family's home in the 38000 block of Mallast Street in Harrison Township. 

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office said a neighbor called 911 about 7:15 p.m. Deputies rushed to the home and found Chloe Lawson not breathing. First responders attempted to resuscitate the toddler by performing CPR. She was taken to McLaren Macomb Hospital where she was pronounced dead. 

The Sheriff's Office said the family told deputies they were having a cookout when they noticed the child was not in the house with the other small children. They went looking for her and found her in the canal directly behind the home. She was pulled from the canal and was not breathing. That's when 911 was called.

The girl was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office is investigating. There's no word on any possible charges, officials said.

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Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.