DeLand mother drowns after saving son, 4, in St. Johns River

Date Added: July 19, 2026 8:25 am

A DeLand mother whose 4-year-old child fell into the St. Johns River on Saturday has died after she jumped in to save his life.

Deputies responded to Ed Stone Park west of DeLand around 4 p.m. Saturday after witnesses reported the child and his mother, later identified as 43-year-old Nicole Grayson, were in the river.

While units were en route, a witness at the park flagged down a boater, who threw two life preservers to Grayson and her son. Grayson became submerged as she struggled to hold her son above water.

The boater was able to get close enough to pull the 4-year-old onto the boat unharmed. Another witness at the park jumped in and swam to Grayson, helped lift her onto the boat, and performed CPR until EMS arrived and took over.

Grayson was transported to the hospital where life-saving measures continued. Despite all efforts to revive her, Grayson was unable to recover and passed away in ICU around 10 p.m. Saturday.

The initial investigation indicates the 4-year-old was playing with something near a wooden fence at the river's edge when he dropped it over the fence. He was trying to retrieve it when he fell in the water, and Grayson went in to rescue him.

Sheriff Chitwood and the entire Volusia Sheriff's Office send sincere thanks all who jumped in to help with the rescue, and deepest condolences to Ms. Grayson's family and friends for their loss of a mother who gave her life to save her son.