Wichita father of toddler who drowned is arrested on suspicion of felony murder

The father of a 2-year-old boy who drowned in a neighborhood swimming pool on Tuesday has been arrested, the Wichita Police Department said Friday.

William Kabutu of Wichita was arrested on suspicion of felony murder and two counts of aggravated child endangerment, stemming from the boy’s death, Officer Charley Davidson said in a news release. The boy who drowned and his 4-year-old brother were brought to the pool by their 44-year-old father, who was intoxicated, Davidson said.

“At the pool, Kabutu allowed the kids to by-pass the pool fence,” Davidson said. “The 2-year-old entered the pool, was not able to stay above the water, and drowned. Kabutu was not able to access the pool due to a fence and locked gate.”

First responders were called at around 10 p.m. Tuesday about a drowning in the 1900 block of E. 54th St. South after a passerby reported the boy floating in the pool, which is in a mobile home park.

The Wichita Fire Department pulled the boy from the pool and tried to save him.

This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 3:56 PM.