WAUKEE, Iowa — The Waukee community is mourning the sudden loss of a young boy who died after falling into a pond over the weekend.
Nine-year-old Aiden James-Harrison Smith had just moved to a new home in Waukee with his family. Aiden’s grandfather, Shawn Smith Pickett, told Local 5 the family wasn’t aware of the pond, having lived in the home for only two weeks.
“Aiden had never mentioned it before to his father, so we never knew that it existed,” Smith Pickett said. “You can’t see it unless you go up and over a hill, because sits down in an embankment.”
On Saturday, Aiden was set to see a movie with his grandfather, who was visiting from Florida. Aiden had asked to go on a walk before they left.
“This particular time, he must have decided that he wanted to do a little more exploring, and he went to the pond,” Smith Pickett said. “Unfortunately, he never came back to us.”
The family believes Aiden wanted to take off his shoes and skate with his feet on the ice.
“He must have fell, and his weight broke the ice, and then he didn’t resurface. He was with me 30 minutes before all of this happened,” Smith Pickett added.
It was ultimately a neighbor who noticed a hole in the ice and a small pair of shoes resting next to the pond. Aiden’s family didn’t realize what had happened until they heard emergency vehicles behind their home.
The family is sharing their loss on social media, posting that they are looking to the memories, remembering just how special he was.
In response, the Waukee community has reached out to support them, offering stories about Aiden's kind and welcoming spirit.
“Aidan touched a lot of lives and a lot of people have stopped by the home. Mothers with their sons, sharing just how special he was, shedding tears with the family,” Smith Pickett said.
The family told Local 5 that Aiden was a talented athlete, competing in Waukee’s youth football and baseball leagues. He was a Cub Scout, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to become a Boy Scout.
A makeshift memorial has been created by the pond to honor Aiden.
“Funeral arrangements are still pending, and we will update anyone that wants to know on the Facebook page, and everyone is welcome,” Smith Pickett told Local 5. “Anybody in the community is welcome to show their support and show up."