KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
September 20, 2022
By Natalie Cook Clark
On Memorial Day 2019 2-year-old Katy toddler, Naomi Grace Mollon died after being found in a hot tub. The Mollon family has now founded Naomi’s Grace, a foundation that educates families on pediatric drowning risks and offers water safety resources.
Families celebrate Naomi Grace and raise funds to help the community on her birthday last year. Photo courtesy: Naomi Grace Organization.
“Naomi was the most spirited, spunky, determined little girl with a smile that lit the world around her,” says her mother, Jessica Mollon.
A Parent's Nightmare
Naomi Grace Mollon was raced to Texas Children's West Campus Memorial Day, May 27 from a Katy residence at Painted Brush Dawn Court. She was found in a hot tub, unresponsive in a near-drowning accident. The situation was severe, and the family turned to the community through social media asking for prayers. The Katy community rallied around the Mollon family and grieved along with them when Naomi Grace died.
Texas, Harris County Lead in Pediatric Drownings
Texas leads the nation in pediatric drowning statistics with Harris County leading the count. In 2021 there were 77 reported child drownings in Texas. So far in 2022 there have been 20 reported drownings. The Cy Fair area currently leads the count.
“I wish I would have known the statistics surrounding pediatric drownings so that I could have better protected my daughter,” says Mollon.
Swim Lessons are Not the Only Protection
Mollon stresses that swim lessons are not the only layer of protection against drowning. She wants families to educate themselves and never let their guard down. It takes less than 60 second and an inch of water to drown.
Naomi Grace Mollon. Photo courtesy: Jessica Mollon
“From the time Naomi was born, we knew she was destined for BIG things,” says Mollon. “She was always such a light to everyone she surrounded herself with. We knew after we lost her that her legacy couldn’t stop there. It was our job to save other families from experiencing the tragedy of losing a child to drowning.”
The Mollon family quickly made connections with drowning prevention community to see how they could help. They are dedicated to water safety awareness and helping families avoid the tragedy that impacted their family.
The Mollon Family with Jessica’s direction founded Naomi’s Grace, a foundation dedicated to reduce the number of pediatric drownings by increasing water safety awareness. They have big plans to provide drowning prevention resources to the Katy community and beyond through events and education.
Last year, Naomi’s Grace hosted their first Naomi’s Race: 5K and Family Fun Run. The event celebrated Naomi’s life while raising funds for the foundation to continue their mission. This is a family-friendly event. It has free beer, face painting, arts and crafts, vendors, a DJ and more. Other foundation events include Naomi’s Splash Bash Water-Safety Event.
Photo courtesy: Naomi Grace Organization.
The Organization has Big Goals
“Naomi’s Grace has big goals. We are currently in the planning stages of a community swim lesson program to be offered in Cy-Fair (NW Harris County leads the state in drownings this year,) says Mollon.
“We hope to soon be able to hire a full-time Executive Director to continue meeting the interest and demands of our community. We envision our organization being able to provide swim lessons for all families that come to us with a need,” says Mollon.
Naomi Grace left behind two sisters, Kailynn (13-years-old) and Remi (3-years-old.) Life looks very different for the Mollon family since they lost Naomi Grace. Her parents continue to focus on their love and attention on raising her sisters and giving back to the community.
Naomi Grave Saved Lives Through Organ Donation
A piece of Naomi Grace still lives on with her incredible gifts. Four of her organs were donated to save lives.
"As few know, Naomi will continue to live on. She gave the gift of life through organ donation. My baby has been a MIRACLE to so many families. What we know now is that Naomi has saved a 3 month old, 4 month old, 39 year old, and 53 year old. She will continue to be a MIRACLE to many more people," said the family on their Facebook site after her passing.
And that is not all who she has saved.
“We have had numerous stories shared with us about “close calls” for families that have been awarded a survival swim scholarship,” says Mollon. “We also frequently receive messages of families letting us know that it is because of Naomi’s story, their children have been enrolled in swim lessons.”
Their foundation often receives requests on more information and guidance on other water safety features such as pools fences, CPR providers, etc.
Learn more about Naomi’s Grace’s organization, including upcoming events online.
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