Family remembers 5-year-old Jaxenn Garcia after tragic drowning in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV — A Las Vegas family is mourning the loss of 5-year-old Jaxenn Garcia, a joyful and beloved child who tragically drowned in a swimming pool over the weekend. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon at an apartment complex near S. Nellis Boulevard and East Flamingo Road.
Emergency response and tragic outcome
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded to a call just after 4 p.m. regarding a child found unresponsive in a pool. Officers arrived quickly and performed CPR at the scene before the child was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A joyful spirit remembered
Jaxenn’s mother, Jaslynn Higgenbotham, shared a heartfelt message remembering her son as “joy in motion.”
“Jaxenn was joy in motion — dancing, cracking jokes, cuddling his plushies, and lighting up every room he entered,” she wrote. “At just 5 years old, he was the perfect middle child: a proud big brother and a sweet little brother, with a laugh that made you forget the world.”
A Family Facing Unimaginable Loss
The loss is especially heartbreaking for the family, who had just welcomed a newborn daughter this month. Higgenbotham expressed deep sorrow that her new baby will never get to know her older brother’s vibrant personality.
“She’ll never get to know the sparkle he brought, only the space he left behind,” she wrote. “All our babies will carry that emptiness — a bond broken too soon.”
A mother’s warning to other families
As she grieves, Higgenbotham is also urging other parents to stay hyper-aware of the risks around pools and water.
“Please, don’t take your eyes off the water — not even for a second,” she wrote. “This pain is too real, too close, and it can happen to any of us. Look out for your babies. Watch each other’s kids. That kind of love can save a life.”
Aunt’s tribute: The laugh that lit up a room
In a GoFundMe created to support the family, Jaxenn’s aunt, Kim Washington, described him as a “laid-back little prankster with the best side-eye in the game.”
“He’d scope you out quietly at first, then light up the whole room once he was comfortable. He loved anime, music, and making people laugh. His laugh was contagious, his spirit unforgettable,” Washington wrote.
Support for a celebration of life
The fundraiser aims to collect $4,000 to help the family cover funeral expenses for a planned service on July 12. As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised just over $500.
“We’re heartbroken, and doing our best to hold it together,” Higgenbotham added. “We’re asking for help to lay our boy to rest with love, color, and celebration — just like how he lived.”
A lasting message for the community
The family is welcoming any support from the community, whether financial or simply through words of love. Contributions to Jaxenn Garcia’s memorial fund can be made through the official GoFundMe campaign.
As Las Vegas continues into the height of pool season, let Jaxenn’s memory be a call to all families to stay alert, stay present, and look out for one another — because every second around water matters.
Image Source: https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/family-identifies-5-year-old-boy-who-drowned-in-las-vegas-3391174/
Category: Local News
Subcategory: Crime & Safety
Date: 07/01/2025