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Hernando Today

Lawsuit Follows Child's Drowning

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: May 31, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - A lawsuit alleges that the makers of a pet door and pool safety gate are responsible for a 2-year-old's drowning death two years ago.

The suit filed Wednesday by the victim's parents also places blame on the former owners of the house at 13172 Little Farms Drive in Spring Hill.

On Aug. 16, 2006, the victim crawled through an 8-inch by 11-inch doggy door into the back pool area. He slipped through a protective fence around the pool and nearly drowned, the lawsuit states.

The victim died 13 days later from his injuries, according to the lawsuit.

His parents, Kenneth and Carol Ranfone, are now claiming negligence on the part of the pet door's manufacturer, Radio Systems Corp., the pool gate maker, Accent Aluminum Construction, and the former owners, William and Christine Chaney.

The lawsuit maintains that each of those parties were negligent for various reasons. Radio Systems should have given warning that small children could escape through their doors; Accent Aluminum should have erected a sturdier product; the Chaneys should have put up warning signs or stickers, according to the suit.

A message left with the Ranfones' attorney, Henry Didier, was not returned, nor a phone message left with the listed number for William Chaney.

A representative of Accent Aluminum had no comment before consulting an attorney. Amanda Leesburg, spokeswoman for Radio Systems, also said she would consult with the "legal team", but gave no further comment.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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