US3 min(s) read
Published 11:00 02 Jul 2026 GMT
A father-of-three has opened up about the heartbreaking loss of his son, Elijah, who was just three years old when his parents found him "face down in the water, motionless" in their pool.
The New Jersey family has opened up about their guilt towards the situation, with the late toddler's father admitting that he "failed" to save his son.
Michael Stephen, who is based in Blackwood, admitted that his life changed following the death of his child on Saturday (June 27).
Taking to social media on Monday, the veteran and police officer said he was home when the tragedy happened.
He recalled that he suddenly saw his daughter wet in a pull-up, telling him "pool".
After seeing his unconscious son, the dad started to perform chest compressions on his son before responders arrived at their home within two minutes of dialing 911.
Writing in an emotional Facebook post, Stephen said: "I see the back door has been opened and my heart sinks," noting that he and his wife Sandra Shevlin ran out and "saw the worst thing any parent could ever see."
Elijah's lips were blue and he had no pulse, said Stephen, as he would be rushed to hospital by first responders, where doctors were able to return his heartbeat.
Sadly, the family was told that "the swelling of the brain is too much too soon and nothing more can be done."
"Within the next few days, we are going to lose our sweet boy, even if he were to somehow miraculously survive, he would have no quality of life," Stephen admitted.
The images of his late son "will forever be burned" into Stephen's mind, who claimed: "I wasn't fast enough, I failed. And I will spend everyday of my life replaying that.
"You don't know how real that feeling is until it's right in front of you," he went on, adding: "I'll spend the rest of my days wondering what could have been. What he would have done. How Elijah could have changed the world," claiming he would switch places and give his life for his son.
He described his late son as a "sweet and gentle soul" who enjoyed snuggling up to watch a film before going to sleep "at 7.30 sharp."
Shevlin also paid tribute to her late son, who she described as "sweet and beautiful, handsome," adding further on Facebook: "I'm so sorry I failed you and couldn't protect you... I'm forever broken."
The elementary school teacher, who said that Elijah was "too good for this Earth," also shares Elijah's twin sister Ella and a six–year–old son, Mickey, with her husband.
The late boy's father explained: "If we have the ability to prevent another parent from knowing this feeling, I'll do what I can," adding that Elijah would want that too, as his body is being prepared for organ donation.
Michael then warned other parents that it just takes 10 minutes to "change your life," urging them: “Don’t ever take it for granted. Hug your babies. Hug them longer, hug them tighter,
“You never know when it will be the last.”
Elijah's aunt, Brittnie Hutchinson, has since started a GoFundMe to help the family, who are "navigating a time of grief and uncertainty."
The family wrote that Mickey's needs were significant due to his autism.
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised almost $55,000 of its $65,000 goal.
