A child briefly went missing at Mother's Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine, on Monday after their parent was distracted by a phone, according to Kennebunk Fire-Rescue. The child was safely located in a different area of the beach and reunited with their caregiver.
Kennebunk Fire-Rescue stated the incident was "very preventable" and served as a reminder for those responsible for children near water. Following the reunion, authorities observed the caregiver immediately return their attention to their phone. A stern warning was issued about the seriousness of the situation and the caregiver's responsibility for active supervision.
The department emphasized that such incidents are unfair to Ocean Guards, who have numerous responsibilities including scanning large water areas for distressed swimmers, recognizing changing surf conditions, providing emergency medical care, and responding to life-threatening emergencies. The supervision of children on the beach remains the responsibility of parents or caregivers.
"Phones down. Eyes up. Know where your children are at all times," Kennebunk Fire-Rescue advised in a statement posted on Facebook. The department clarified that lifeguards are not babysitters and cannot replace parental supervision. Their role is to provide an important layer of protection, but responsibility for a child's supervision does not transfer to them.
The announcement also highlighted that drownings can occur rapidly and without obvious audible or visual cues, making even brief distractions for lifeguards dangerous. Kennebunk Fire-Rescue concluded by warning that "a few seconds of distraction near the water can have lifelong consequences."
The department's message was met with support in the comments of the Facebook post, with users expressing thanks for the reminder and disdain for parents distracted by their phones. Some suggested beaches should be cell phone-free zones.