BOERNE, Texas – A San Antonio mother is demanding answers after her 13-year-old son drowned Sunday at Boerne City Lake.
Mia Robinson said her son, Jaylen, told her he was going for a swim, but he never mentioned he was leaving the city and going to a lake. “He gave me a hug, and he said… ‘Bye mom, I love you. I’m going swimming,’” Mia Robinson recounted. “And that was just the last time I heard from him.”
Jaylen had gone to the lake with neighbors, a decision that raised concerns for his mother. Robinson candidly noted, “He doesn’t even really know how to swim. He’s scared of water, really.” If she had known the group was heading to the lake, she stated she would have intervened.
What happened at the lake
According to Boerne fire officials, Jaylen’s body was recovered 20 feet from shore in water roughly 12 to 15 feet deep Monday morning. The incident escalated when the neighbor’s 11-year-old son was skipping rocks with Jaylen near a drop-off. Jaylen ended up in deep water and began to struggle.
The 11-year-old jumped in to assist, but both boys soon found themselves in danger of drowning. The father of the 11-year-old rushed toward them as they screamed for help. He managed to throw his son closer to the shore, but when he turned back, Jaylen had vanished from sight.
‘Nobody tried to help’
Robinson expressed her heartbreak, not only over the loss of her son but also over the apparent inaction of bystanders. “I just want to know why everybody just watched and nobody tried to help,” she lamented. “Because my child: he always wanted to help everybody else. He always would put his self in jeopardy and try to protect everybody else. But nobody (was) there to help my son.”
Robinson also raised concerns about safety conditions at the lake, stating, “I feel like if you don’t have the safety equipment at lakes, I don’t feel like people should be swimming there.”
Franco Guerrero, the organizer of Guardian Search and Rescue, participated in the search for Jaylen and emphasized the importance of safety. “Instead of thinking about what you’re going to be wearing — what you are going to be eating and drinking — think about life vests,” Guerrero advised.
In response to this tragic incident, Boerne officials announced they are conducting internal reviews and collaborating closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife to assess lake operations and safety protocols. City officials strongly recommend life jackets for anyone entering the water, irrespective of age or swimming proficiency.
