Man takes child swimming in Lake Kaweah without life jacket from freemexy's blog

Tulare County deputies have repeatedly advised the public that water activities and drinking alcohol don't mix. On Sunday afternoon, one man learned the hard way how serious deputies are about water safety.Children swimming in Shanghai

Deputies with the sheriff's Boating Safety Enforcement Unit were conducting an unrelated vessel stop near the Kaweah Recreational area on Lake Kaweah.During the stop, deputies saw a man and a child, without life jackets, swimming in deep water more than a 100 feet from shore.

The man, later identified as Tommy Hawkins, swam toward the patrol boat with an 11-year-old child, leaving four other children unattended, deputies said. Deputies say Hawkins was "extremely" intoxicated and "belligerent."

Because of the Hawkins' "level of intoxication," deputies said they felt he was unable to care for his safety or the safety of the children. Hawkins was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and booked into Tulare County Pretrial Facility.The children were turned over to Tulare County ChildWelfare Services, according to deputies. Deputies sent out the following warning to visitors:

"Alcohol interferes with balance, coordination and judgment," deputies said. "These effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat. Wear life jackets and watch your children around water. Remember life jackets save lives. Alcohol and boating don’t mix."

This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Boating Safety Enforcement Unit.Detectives believe they gathered enough evidence to hold the woman accountable for the incident. She is suspected of being under the influence when she took her child into the river, a popular summer hot spot that cuts through Visalia.

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By freemexy
Added Oct 30 '19

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