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Toddler dies weeks after being found unconscious in neighbor's pool

 
Published Dec. 1, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — A toddler who slipped out of his home unnoticed and got into a neighbor's pool this month has died.

Luke Leavengood, a curious, golden-haired 20-month-old who had recently learned to open doors, was pronounced dead about 6 p.m. Thursday at All Children's Hospital, said police spokesman Mike Puetz.

Luke was in the care of a nanny on Nov. 8 when he slipped out the front door of his home 1953 Hawaii Ave. NE and wandering into a neighbor's back yard. The nanny found him a few minutes later in the neighbor's pool.

He had been in critical condition since then.

The incident sparked an outpouring of prayers and messages to Luke's family, who updated the community on their son's status through Facebook.

Investigators determined there was no criminal wrongdoing in the case.

"I already tearfully and terribly miss you, Luke, and pretend neither to understand the Lord's plan nor his timing," his father, Ian Leavengood, posted online Friday. "I will, however, ceaselessly pray for you and never give up. We will meet again, son. That I promise you."