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Mother's Plea After Son Drowns in Florida Pond
17 Jan
Summary
- A 3-year-old boy drowned in a retention pond in January 2024.
- The family received a $15.5 million settlement in October 2025.
- The mother advocates for safety perimeters around retention ponds.
A devastating tragedy unfolded in January 2024 when 3-year-old Kai Goodlander drowned in a retention pond at the Huntington Reserve Apartments in Florida. His mother, Autumn Goodlander, was working at the time and learned of her son's death at the hospital. The family later discovered Kai had access to the retention pond, which their legal team claimed "was not meant to hold water at all."
The Haggard Law Firm represented Autumn, arguing that proper maintenance and safety standards could have prevented Kai's death. In October 2025, the housing complex and its management company, TPI Management Services, reached a $15.5 million settlement with Autumn. While liability was not explicitly admitted, the settlement reportedly led to the installation of a fence around the retention pond.
Two years after her son's death, Autumn Goodlander continues to share her story, advocating for enhanced safety measures. She specifically calls for perimeters around retention ponds to prevent future drownings, hoping to spare other families the unimaginable grief she has endured.
