A mother in North Texas is grieving the unimaginable death of her three sons, who apparently drowned in a frozen pond close to the house where they were living.
The terrible tragedy happened on Monday, January 26, according to the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office. Just outside of Bonham, which is about 70 miles northeast of Dallas, authorities received a call about three brothers who had fallen through the ice on a private pond.
Cheyenne Hangaman, a mother of six, recalled that “it all happened in an instant” while playing outside with her kids. According to CBS News, Cheyenne claimed that the boys disregarded her warning to stay away from the frozen pond.
When her youngest boy attempted to “ice skate” on the pond, he slipped into the icy water below.
Every parent’s worst nightmare was what transpired next. In an attempt to save their sister, two of Cheyenne’s older kids dove into the river, but they quickly found themselves in serious danger as well.
“I started sprinting in the direction of the pond and dove in.” Cheyenne remarked, “I tried to save them while also trying to keep myself alive.”
They all needed me at one point, so it was just the three of us. I simply was unable to save them.
The distraught mother told CBS News Texas, “I tried to pick one up and put them on the ice.” “It would simply shatter and continue to fall in.”
The two elder boys, ages 8 and 9, were eventually rescued from the water by first responders and a neighbor, who then started life-saving procedures. After being taken to the hospital, they tragically passed away there. After a search, the body of the youngest kid, age six, was found.
The victims were identified by family members as Howard Doss, age 6, Kaleb Doss, age 8, and EJ Doss, age 9.
Cheyenne disclosed that when her daughter hurried over to inform her that her brothers were in the water, she realized something was up.
Hangaman claimed that when her daughter raced to her screaming that the boys had gone into the river, she knew something was off.
The mother remembered, “When I saw them, they were struggling, and I know their bodies were already in shock.” “The water was extremely frigid.”
“I made an effort to defend my children’s lives. I was powerless to save them, so I had to watch them struggle and drown.
If not for the efforts of a neighbor who stepped in to help her, Cheyenne very well could have died herself.
She claimed, “He said he heard the screaming or the call for help and came running.” “I was pulled out by my friend using a horse rope that he had.”
Howard, Kaleb, and EJ Doss, may you all rest in peace.
