TEXAS CITY, TX (KTRK/CNN) - A family in Texas is speaking out about losing their young son to suspected dry drowning.
Francisco Delgado, 4, filled his lungs with fluid while swimming and died the next day.
His family took him swimming at the Texas City dike over the Memorial Day weekend.
Tara Delgado, Frankie's mother, spoke of her son.
"He touched so many hearts," she said. "If you didn't know baby Frankie, you would by the time he left. You would know him because he was gonna impact your heart."
Little Frankie seemed to be getting better, just a fun-loving kid with an upset stomach.
On Saturday morning, he complained about his shoulders hurting.
Francisco Delgado Jr., Frankie's father, said that "Out of nowhere he just woke up and he said 'ahhhh' and he took his last breath. I didn't know what to do no more."
Paramedics rushed the child to East Houston Regional.
Frankie passed away shortly after. His parents still don't know exactly why.
Tara Delgado, Frankie's mother, said that they were told their son had died of dry drowning. His lungs were full of fluid, the parents were told, and there was nothing else they could do for him.
They suspect Frankie swallowed water during the holiday celebration.
Francisco Delgado Jr., Frankie's father, said don't take anything for granted.
"If someone doesn't feel good enough, if he has diarrhea, take him to the doctor,” the father said. “Tell him to find out what's really wrong. I didn't know what was wrong with him. I thought it was just normal."
One doctor says children can die from drowning hours after the contact with water, sometimes without showing symptoms at first.
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