What started as an exciting summer adventure for young Michael Stewart ended in tragedy. This incident has raised serious concerns about the camp’s safety measures and has led to a full investigation.
On Monday, at Liberty Lake Day Camp in Burlington County, New Jersey, six-year-old Michael Jeffrey Stewart drowned on his very first day of camp. This heartbreaking news has left Michael’s family in deep grief and has shocked the whole community.
Michael’s mother, Enjoli Stewart, shared her deep sadness and frustration with the camp. “Liberty Lakes messed up. Big time. And now I don’t have a son anymore. That’s heartbreaking,” she told FOX 29.
Michael had been looking forward to his first day at the camp, not knowing it would be his last. He was set to attend the camp for several weeks, and Enjoli had spent thousands of dollars to ensure he had the best experience. She said:
“I did everything I could to make sure he was placed in the right school and the right camp.”
The incident happened during the afternoon swim period for campers who were entering first and second grades.
Camp officials reported that a lifeguard found Michael unresponsive in a shallow pool. The lifeguard quickly pulled him out of the water and tried to perform CPR.
Despite the attempts to save him, Michael was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day.
Michael’s life was a fight from the beginning. Born as a micro-preemie at just 23 weeks and weighing only one pound and three ounces, doctors had not expected him to survive.
Despite the odds, Michael defied expectations with his mother’s relentless advocacy and unwavering faith. He grew into a bright, loving, and caring boy whose resilience and passion for learning won the hearts of everyone who knew him.
“Michael taught me how to fight and he taught me to fight without using my hands,” Enjoli said. “He taught me how to fight in a different manner.”
Michael was especially close to his younger sister, Layla. They enjoyed playing basketball and baseball together. Enjoli described her son as “extremely smart,” with an impressive vocabulary.
Enjoli described Michael as a curious child who loved learning new things. He was excited about starting piano classes, which were next on his summer to-do list.
Liberty Lake Day Camp, which had just opened for the summer on the day of the incident, expressed their sorrow in a statement.
Camp founder Andy Pritikin wrote, “All of us at Liberty Lake Day Camp are devastated and grieving over the tragic passing of our young camper. This senseless tragedy took a life that was far too young. There are no words that feel appropriate enough to capture our heartache and mourning.”
Michael’s mother was talking to a coworker about her son’s excitement for the camp when she received the heartbreaking news.
“Someone asked me how my day was going, and I told them about Michael and how he fell asleep the night before with his goggles on,” she said. “He was so excited about swimming, and then my phone rang. I was told I needed to rush to Mount Holly-Virtua.”
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Mansfield Township police are investigating the incident. An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday by the Burlington County medical examiner.
Enjoli has raised concerns about the camp’s safety protocols. She noted that Michael, a beginner swimmer, was supposed to be in an instructional swim class, but it did not take place.
She also pointed out that Michael was assigned a one-on-one aide who was meant to be with him at all times. However, that aide is still employed at the camp.
Pritikin acknowledged that typically, staff members do not conduct instructional swim classes on the first day of camp.
The camp employs 25 lifeguards certified in first aid, CPR, and the use of AEDs, as well as three registered nurses.
Despite these measures, Enjoli believes more should have been done to prevent her son’s death. She suggested that, out of respect for her family, the camp should have closed the pool for 24 to 48 hours following the incident.
However, Pritikin stated that experts advised continuing camp activities, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of campers and staff are their top priorities.
Michael was a rising first-grade student in the Lumberton School District. The district released a statement expressing their deepest condolences to the Stewart family.
In support of the family, a lemonade stand fundraiser will be held at the Old Fire House on Main Street in Lumberton on Saturday. This event is especially meaningful because Michael loved making lemonade and hosting lemonade stands in his neighborhood.
Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the Stewart family with funeral and memorial expenses. The campaign highlights Michael’s remarkable journey, from his premature birth to his joyful life.
Michael was a rising first-grade student in the Lumberton School District. The district released a statement offering their deepest condolences to the Stewart family.
To support the family, a lemonade stand fundraiser will be held at the Old Fire House on Main Street in Lumberton on Saturday. This event is especially meaningful because Michael loved making lemonade and hosting lemonade stands in his neighborhood.
Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the Stewart family with funeral and memorial expenses. The campaign highlights Michael’s remarkable journey from his premature birth to his joyful life.
The campaign organizer shared how doctors initially gave Michael little chance of survival. “Michael’s mother refused to believe that, and with every ounce of her strength, advocacy, and faith, fought for his life,” the campaign states.
Seeing Michael grow into a wonderful little boy filled Enjoli’s heart with joy. Unfortunately, that joy was cut short. Michael is remembered for his kindness and his heart of gold.
Not only was Michael a loving presence for his mother and younger sister, but he also touched the lives of everyone around him.
“The family is in need of a lot of support at this time, as you can imagine,” the GoFundMe campaign states. “We are asking for your help in raising money for Michael Jeffrey and his family so that he can be given the funeral and memorial services that he deserves to honor his life. Anything you can give to the family is much appreciated.”
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The update also mentioned another GoFundMe campaign started by Lumberton Township in response to the tragedy.
The Stewart family expressed their gratitude for this additional support and encouraged people to contribute to any of the fundraising campaigns.
In response to the incident, Liberty Lake Day Camp has made its clinical social worker available for counseling to those affected. The camp has also pledged to continue its summer program with a heightened emphasis on safety measures.
Taylor Swift’s Chiefs Game Outfit Called ‘Cringe’ – Fans Say She Looks Like a Teen!
Taylor Swift’s outfit at the Kansas City Chiefs game has caused a lot of talk online.
On October 7, 2024, Taylor Swift made a big entrance at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, play against the New Orleans Saints. Many were excited to see her, especially since she had missed two of his previous games. Her appearance was highly anticipated, and fans were eager to see what she would wear.
Her absence from earlier games sparked breakup rumors between her and Kelce. But by attending the game, she silenced those rumors and attracted a lot of attention from fans and photographers. Swift walked into the stadium wearing a short plaid dress and tall black boots.
In a close-up photo, Swift’s slight smile and fresh look were highlighted. Her dress had an off-shoulder design, which showcased her gold jewelry nicely. In another picture, she smiled even more broadly, with her bangs framing her face. Her hair was pulled back in a casual ponytail, combining a glamorous and simple style.
One of the most talked-about parts of her look was the glittery freckles on her face, which sparkled under the stadium lights.
Once her photos were shared online, people quickly voiced their opinions, which ranged from praise to criticism. One user joked, “I was wondering where my tablecloth [sic] went.” Another commenter criticized her boots, saying, “Bizarre boots!! They look awful on her.” Other comments included, “Is she dressed for football or a nightclub?” and “Grow up; she looks like a high school girl [sic].”
Many comments focused on her footwear, with remarks like, “She can’t walk in those boots. So dumb…” But other fans defended her, saying, “She’s a wonderful human and so talented!” Another fan chimed in, “She’s awesome. She’s looking pretty niiice [sic].” One user who wasn’t a big fan of Swift added, “Not exactly a fan…but loving her outfit!”
Her facial glitter also caught attention. One fan commented, “The face glitter? Are you kidding? She’s so cute!” Another said, “Taylor Swift makes the whole place shimmer.”
This isn’t the first time Swift has faced criticism for her outfits at Kelce’s games. Previously, on September 15, she attended a game wearing a red, oversized Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt as a mini dress, which fans labeled as “so trashy.” She paired it with thigh-high black leather boots, a black crossbody bag, and gold chains. Her signature hoop earrings and bold red lipstick completed her look, while her blonde hair fell in messy waves.
Swift made a fashion statement as she arrived and later cheered from the Chiefs’ VIP suite. While some fans loved her bold style, others were not impressed. One user questioned, “With all her money, that’s what she wears?”
More negative comments followed, with one saying, “Omg… again her outfit is so trashy… what’s happening to her?” Another remarked, “Looking like an old-fashioned street walker as usual.” Critics also pointed out that her outfit seemed out of place compared to other players’ wives and girlfriends, who wore more traditional game-day clothing. One commenter said, “She dresses like a teenager.”
Some wondered if her changing style was part of a strategy to gain publicity since her relationship with Kelce became public. “Her outfits are getting goofier. Does she really need the attention? Seems since Kelce, she’s all about PR,” wrote one user.
Critics said her style didn’t fit with the more traditional game-day outfits worn by the wives and girlfriends of other players. One commenter said, “She dresses like a teenager.” Some even wondered if her changing style was a way to get more attention since her relationship with Kelce became public. One person wrote, “Her outfits are getting goofier. Does she really need the attention? Seems since Kelce she’s all about PR.”
This wasn’t the first time Swift’s outfit at a game had sparked criticism. Back on September 15, 2024, she wore a red oversized Kansas City Chiefs tee to a game between the Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals. Some fans didn’t like how she turned the tee into a mini dress.
She paired the look with thigh-high black leather boots, a black crossbody bag, and gold chains. Hoop earrings and her bold red lipstick completed the outfit, while her blonde hair was styled in messy waves. She later cheered from the Chiefs’ VIP suite.
Some fans didn’t like this outfit either. One user asked, “With all her money, that’s what she wears?” Another said, “Omg… again her outfit is so trashy… what’s happening to her?” Some even compared her look to that of an “old-fashioned street walker.”
No matter what people think about her outfits, Swift continues to grab attention wherever she goes—on and off the football field.
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