05-08-2025
Newlyweds mourn daughter, 1, who drowned in daycare's gated pool at $800,000 New York home
Heartbroken parents are mourning the loss of their adorable one-year-old daughter after she drowned in a New York City daycare's gated pool.
River Wilson was found unconscious around 1pm Friday at Ana's Butterfly Garden Family Group daycare in the Bronx.
Her parents, who recently got married, had dropped her off at the $800,000 home that day just like they've always done since August 2024.
But an hour later, Wilson's family - who live just around the corner from the daycare - received the devastating news their baby girl died while in the care of a 47-year-old woman who told police she was busy cooking when it happened.
'We heard a lot of yelling and screaming,' the neighbor, a 46-year-old former federal police officer who asked to remain anonymous, told NY Daily News.
He immediately jumped into action and started CPR on the tot while on the phone to emergency services.
'They told us to get a pair of scissors to cut the baby's dress off. I couldn't find a pulse but my instinct was to continue to do CPR. There was no response,' the neighbor recalled.
Once emergency personnel arrived at the at-home daycare they rushed Wilson to Montefiore Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
The unidentified woman responsible for Wilson told NYPD officers she was cooking when she realized she hadn't seen the baby for about 20 minutes.
She soon found her in the pool, according to police.
It is unclear if the woman will face charges. Daily Mail contacted the NYPD for comment.
Wilson's grieving family have been left confused by how the precious little girl even made her way to the backyard pool.
'We can't imagine how she ended up in the pool,' the baby's aunt, Inemesit O'Boyle, told the outlet.
'She can't open the door. She can't climb a gate.'
O'Boyle said the daycare has not been in contact with her younger sister or her husband about what happened.
'A neighbor heard screaming and ran around the corner and saw the baby — that's how our family found out,' she said.
'My baby sister and her husband were recently married. It couldn't be a more tragic situation. We didn't even know they had a pool. It was a behind a closed door and behind a gate.'
Although the family has not heard a word from the daycare, they hope surveillance cameras captured how the tragedy unfolded.
The daycare, which has operated since 2018, is authorized to take care of 10 children between the ages of six weeks to 12-year-old, according to
The center is run by Ana Feliz Gonzalez. She also owns the home it operates out of, according to public records.
Wilson's aunt has remembered her as a 'beautiful' and 'amazing' child.
'River was beautiful. She was amazing. She was their first and only child. This is the worst thing that can happen to a family,' O'Boyle said.
Loved ones gathered for a memorial for the toddler outside the family's home. Balloons, stuffed animals and flowers have also been left outside the daycare.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help her parents and family during this difficult time.
'River was a beautiful, joyful baby—full of wonder, light, and laughter. Her radiant smile lit up every room, and her sweet spirit brought immense love to everyone around her,' the page read.
'Though her time with us was heartbreakingly short, the love she gave and inspired will never fade.'
As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $3,000 was raised.
Wilson will be laid to rest on August 13, according to the tribute page.
