Boy, 6, who almost drowned at summer camp begins breathing on his own after being taken off ventilator

Published: 17:57, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 17:57, 30 July 2026 A young boy can finally breathe a sigh of relief without the help of a ventilator after relying on intubation for days following a near-drowning experience during a summer soccer camp. Adonis Jackson, 6, nearly drowned July 20 on the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) campus while attending a Nike Soccer Camp. Nine days after the terrifying ordeal, Jackson's family attorney Dominique Calhoun said the boy is no longer sedated and breathing on his own. Jackson remains in the pediatric Intensive Care Unit as he continues to recover.  'The toll is evident — he has been experiencing night terrors and episodes of delirium — and the road ahead remains uncertain,' Calhoun said. According to police documents, the incident occurred while Jackson and 30 other children were in a UDC pool with no lifeguard on duty. An investigation revealed the on-duty lifeguard stepped away for a lunch break when the emergency unfolded, authorities said.  The camp head coach was able to pull Jackson from the water and immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Adonis Jackson, 6, who nearly drowned while attending a Nike Soccer Camp, has been removed from intubation and is breathing on his own as he continues to recover in the ICU According to police documents, the incident occurred while Jackson and 30 other children were in a UDC pool with no lifeguard on duty The boy's mother was notified of the event by a camp counselor who stated that he had 'guzzled some water' – a message she initially believed indicated a minor accident, rather than a life-threatening emergency, Calhoun told WTTG. According to a letter to the community, UDC President Maurice Edington said multiple staff members of the athletics and aquatics department have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation takes place.  'It is not disciplinary action and does not indicate that any of these individuals have been found of wrongdoing. This is intended to ensure the integrity of the ongoing review process,' Edington's email wrote.  It continued by saying that the campus pool will remain closed until the investigation and a safety review have been completed. The Nike Summer Camp with FourSoccer is available to children ages five to 16. Kids are able to participate in half-day and full-day soccer training as part of the program.  Jackson's family attorney, Dominique Calhoun, said the boy is no longer sedated and breathing on his own  According to a letter to the community, UDC President Maurice Edington said, multiple staff members of the athletics and aquatics department have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation continues  US Sports Camps, which advertises the camp, released a statement addressing the incident. 'We are aware of the incident at the camp held at the University of the District of Columbia, and our thoughts are with the child and their family,' they said.  'This camp is operated by Four Soccer, an independent camp operator, and we are in contact with them as they and the appropriate authorities review what occurred. We are not able to comment on specifics at this time.' At this time, it is unclear whether Jackson's family has filed a lawsuit, but they are seeking full accountability and justice for the circumstances surrounding their son's near drowning.  The Daily Mail has reached out to Calhoun's legal office for comment.