A grieving family in Florida City is seeking justice after losing their 14-year-old son in a tragic drowning incident at a local lake. The family has taken legal action against the developer, property owner, and utility company responsible for the site, claiming negligence and a complete absence of safety precautions contributed to the heartbreaking loss.
Marcus Sanders, a recent eighth-grade graduate with bright dreams ahead, lost his life on June 27 while visiting a lake located near North Redland Road and Northwest 12th Street with friends. According to his mother, Jazmine Sanders, her son was a capable swimmer, but the dangerous area lacked any barriers, warning signs, or restricted access to keep young people away from harm.
The teenager’s family remembers him as a dedicated student who was committed to making his parents proud. His grandmother, Beverly Dukes, shared the profound pain of losing Marcus, describing how she finds comfort looking at his photos while struggling with the immense grief. The young man leaves behind his parents, seven siblings, and numerous loved ones who are now preparing for his funeral while searching for answers.
Attorney Christian Schoepp, who represents the Sanders family, revealed a disturbing detail: approximately one hour after Marcus drowned, another child also nearly lost their life in the same lake. That child survived after spending several days in a coma and has since returned home. The lawsuit argues that the property was left completely accessible to the community without any gates or protective barriers, creating a dangerous situation where young people could reasonably assume the area was safe to enter.
The legal filing emphasizes that the defendants failed in their duty to secure a hazardous site, putting the entire community at risk. As the family prepares to say their final goodbyes to Marcus, they hope their legal battle will bring about meaningful changes to prevent other families from experiencing the same devastating loss.
