A New Jersey father has shared a harrowing account of the moment his 3-year-old son, Elijah, accidentally drowned in their home swimming pool, describing it as the "worst thing any parent could ever see."

Michael Stephen, a veteran and police officer from Blackwood, recounted the events of Saturday, July 6, when he discovered his son unresponsive in the water. He said he was alerted to a potential issue when his 3-year-old daughter, Ella, appeared wet and said "Pool."

"I see the back door has been opened and my heart sinks," Stephen wrote in a statement released Monday. He and his wife, Sandra Shevlin, a elementary school teacher, rushed outside and found Elijah face down and motionless in their pool.

Stephen immediately began lifesaving measures. First responders arrived within two minutes, and hospital staff were able to restore Elijah's heartbeat. However, the family was informed that brain swelling was too severe, leaving no hope for recovery and no quality of life.

"Within the next few days, we are going to lose our sweet boy," Stephen stated. "Even if he were to somehow miraculously survive, he would have no quality of life."

Stephen expressed profound grief and self-blame, stating, "I wasn't fast enough. I failed. And I will spend everyday of my life replaying that." He added that the images of his son "will forever be burned into my mind" and expressed a wish to trade his life for his son's.

He described Elijah as a "sweet and gentle soul" who enjoyed snuggling and watching movies before bed. The family plans to proceed with organ donation.

"If we have the ability to prevent another parent from knowing this feeling, I'll do what I can," Stephen said. "Elijah would want that as well."

Stephen said he and his wife Sandra Shevlin sprinted out and 'saw the worst thing any parent could ever see' when they saw their son face down and motionless in the water

Shevlin also shared a tribute to her son, writing on Facebook, "I'm so sorry I failed you and couldn't protect you. I'm forever broken." She called Elijah "too good for this earth."

A GoFundMe campaign, established by Elijah's aunt Brittnie Hutchinson to support the family and their two other children, aims to raise $65,000. As of Thursday morning, approximately $54,000 had been raised. The family includes Elijah's twin sister, Ella, and a 6-year-old son, Mickey, who has autism and significant needs.

Stephen lamented that he 'wasn't fast enough' and said the images of his son ‘will forever be burned into [his] mind'

Stephen was only called to the pool when he saw his 3-year-old daugher, Ella, and she said, 'Pool'