'Roxie's Wish' Bill Passes To Honor Pasadena Drowning Victim

SACREMENTO, CA — California now recognizes every third week in May as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children" thanks to the efforts of two parents from Pasadena, who lost their 6-year-old daughter after she drowned at an Altadena summer camp in 2019.

A bill that established the awareness week overwhelmingly passed both houses of the California Legislature in late-April with no opposition before becoming chaptered into law earlier this month.

Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas started the Meow Meow Foundation following the death of their daughter, Roxie Forbes, to advocate for stricter camp safety standards and to put an end to preventable childhood drowning deaths, according to the foundation’s website. The group was named after a stuffed toy cat their daughter owned.

Through the foundation, the two teamed with Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) in crafting the legislation, which highlights the dangers of childhood drowning.

“The measure would also, among other things, support the goals and ideals of National Water Safety Month, support publicly acknowledging, with permission, the names of drowning victims and their families and encourage counties, cities and school districts to adopt codes and standards to prevent drowning and engage in and encourage public awareness campaigns,” the legislation read.

Throughout the week, the couple told Pasadena Now in a statement they will be holding an online event on the group’s website and YouTube channel, which will include videos that cover several topics such as equity and inclusion in aquatics, as well as water safety.

“During our event, we will share stories of children because they must not be remembered as statistics,” Matyas said. “These were vibrant, hopeful, beautiful young lives robbed of their futures because adults have not yet been able to assemble a wholly effective response.”

Roxie was found face down in the pool of Summerkids Camp in Altadena on June 28, 2019, according to the Pasadena Star-News. Forbes and Matyas told the camp that Roxie was "developmentally delayed" and was not a swimmer.

Four camp counselors were on lifeguard duty the day Roxie drowned, the Star-News reported; none saw the girl floating face down in the water. A counselor outside the fenced-off pool area was the one her actually saw her.

Roxie was not wearing a flotation device. It is unknown how long she was face down in the water before a counselor noticed. First responders were able to restart the girl’s heart, but Roxie died the next day after doctors recommended she be taken off life support, the paper reported.

Around one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than half of drowning victims require further hospitalization and treatment after being admitted to an emergency room, the agency said. Nonfatal drownings can cause severe brain damage that may lead to long-term problems such as memory issues and learning disabilities.