SPRING, Texas – The family of 11-year-old Braydin Barlow is seeking answers into his drowning.
Barlow’s body was recovered from the Cypress Creek waters on Friday.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies said Barlow fell into the creek on Thursday while playing with friends.
When KPRC 2 was on scene last week, a woman told us her 9-year-old godson jumped into the waters first and Barlow went in to save him.
The family of Barlow tells KPRC 2 this is not true, and their son did not know how to swim. They are now asking for more investigation into how and why he ended up in the waters.
“It’s not right. That’s my baby. That’s our baby,” said Barlow’s mother, Andrea Hogan.
Hogan was emotional speaking about her son. KPRC 2 has learned Barlow was a sixth grader at Strack Intermediate School, which is part of Klein Independent School District.
“I said, ‘Don’t ever go near a body of water without me. That is the rule of thumb, and you know that,‘“ said Andrea. ”This was not a secret."
KPRC 2 reached out to HCSO. A spokesperson said there was no update into this investigation.
Christopher Hogan, the father of Barlow, said he just wants to know the facts of the matter.
“I don’t want to see another child get hurt in the same process as this," said Christopher. “But I would like to see justice for him and the truth."
The family describes Barlow as a compassionate boy with a contagious smile. He played football for the Klein Rams.
He loved the New Orleans Saints, pineapple pizza and his mother’s cooking.
“All he wanted to do was make friends and play football,” said Christopher.
The principal of Strack Intermediate, Robert Gilbert, sent a statement to families.
It reads in part,
“It is with deep sorrow that I share the heartbreaking news that one of our students, 6th grader Braydin Barlow-Buirse, has passed away following a tragic incident that occurred last night near Cypress Creek.
This loss has deeply impacted our school family, and we are grieving alongside the student’s loved ones. We extend our most sincere condolences to the family during this unimaginably difficult time."
“To know him was to love him,” said Kera Pryor, Barlow’s aunt.
According to the Harris County Medical Examiner, Barlow’s cause and manner of death have not been ruled yet.
On Sunday, KPRC 2 went back to the scene where Barlow’s body was recovered and saw there was a growing makeshift memorial about a quarter of a mile away from the creek.
