A toddler with an “illuminating smile” died from a brain-eating amoeba after playing at an Arkansas country club’s splash pad — the fifth such death in the US.
Michael Alexander Pollock III, 16 months, died Sept. 4 after contracting Naegleria fowleri at the Country Club of Little Rock.
“Though Michael’s time on Earth was short, he touched the hearts of family, friends, and even strangers he came across with his illuminating smile and playfulness,” his obituary read.
His parents, Michael Jr. and Julia Pollock,.were out of state, according to Arkansas Online.
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The Arkansas Department of Health confirmed the baby died from the amoeba and was likely exposed while playing on the splash pad, according to a press release.
Pollock died at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, according to coroner Gerone Hobbs.
The Health Department sent water samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which confirmed that one sample had traces of the amoeba, the press release stated.
Michael Alexander Pollock III, 16 months, died on Sept. 4 after contracting Naegleria fowleri while playing on a splash pad at the Country Club of Little Rock.Agape Church LR/Facebook His parents Michael Jr. and Julia Pollock are currently away from home.Credit: Stroll The Heights/Facebook
“The department has been in contact with the Country Club of Little Rock and they have been cooperative in inquires with [us],” the Health Department said in a statement.
As of Thursday, the pool had been closed and a cleaning service was seen on the premises, according to Arkansas Online.
Pollock died at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, according to Coroner Gerone Hobbs. The Health Department sent water samples to the CDC, which confirmed one of the samples had traces of the amoeba.Julia Pollock/Facebook
There was no immediate response to The Post’s request for comment from the Pollack family and country club.
Naegleria fowleri is found in warm, low-level fresh water and is regularly found in rivers, lakes, and streams. It can be found in chlorinated water, according to the CDC. It is rare to effect humans and must be inhaled through the nose before traveling to the brain, the CDC noted.
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Pollock is believed to be the fifth American to die this year from the amoeba.
Pollock is believed to be the fifth American to die this year from the year. Julia Pollock/Facebook
Late last month, a Texas resident contracted the amoeba while swimming in Lake Lyndon B. Johnson.
In July, a Georgia resident also died from Naegleria fowleri while swimming in a freshwater lake, and a little boy died similarly in Nevada. In that case, Woodrow Bundy, 2 ,contracted it while playing in water in Ash Springs and began to experience flu-like symptoms before he was rushed to a hospital.
A man in Florida also contracted the infection in March after rinsing his nose with tap water.
Arkansas football has extended an offer to a 2028 in-state prospect.
Running back Kentz Brown, 6-0 and 210 pounds, of Dumas received the offer from running backs coach Kolby Smith on Tuesday.
“Pure excitement,” Brown said of his reaction to the offer. “I was home watching football with my family. It’s a great way to close out the year and welcome the new year. Coach Kolby Smith asked that I call and my family was able to witness the conversation. I grew up watching the Razorbacks and always dreamed of the opportunity. I’m extremely grateful and overwhelmed with joy about this opportunity.”
He is the half-brother of former Dumas and UNLV running back Kylin James. He previously received offers from Ole Miss and Central Arkansas.
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In five games with the freshman team, Brown rushed for 1,179 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He is the first 2028 in-state prospect to receive an offer from Arkansas.
The 2025 NBA Draft class is shaping up be one of the best in years, led largely by its crop of talented guards.
One that flew under the radar prior to the season, but is beginning to make waves, is Arkansas’ Boogie Fland. At a slightly-undersized 6-foot-2, he may very well be the most complete true point guard in the class at the moment, showing scoring prowess, elite passing and plenty of defensive potential.
In a 30-point blowout of Oakland Monday, Fland was again spectacular, adding a team-high 22 points, six assists to zero turnovers and two rebounds. He didn’t see a block or steal, but was able to shoot a blistering 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, in addition to efficiency within it. It seems all season the freshman guard has been able to help Arkansas to wins, a rare trait for a college newcomer, even a four-star.
On the season, he’s added 15.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Razorbacks. Even those who knew of Fland’s talent going into the season likely weren’t expecting lottery-level numbers, but that’s exactly what he’s put up thus far. His near-3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio has especially been eye-catching.
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While lead guards aren’t in high demand in the NBA at the moment, Fland is making a great case for team’s to draft him in the late-lottery if they’re in need of a steady ball handler.
Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks (11-2, 0-0 SEC) notched a 92-62 win over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (4-10, 1-2 Horizon) on Monday night in their final tuneup before conference play starts.
Coming out of an extended break after the Christmas holiday, Arkansas looked sluggish and disjointed in the first half. The Hogs turned the ball over nine times in the first 20 minutes and they gave up 30 points in the paint to the Golden Grizzlies.
As the Razorbacks have done many times this season, they pulled away in the second half. A big part of that was the play of Boogie Fland, who scored just one point in the first but exploded for 23 in the second.
Arkansas also got a full-scale effort from Adou Thiero, who had 20 points in the game and tacked on six assists, six rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
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The non conference slate has now come to a close and the gauntlet of the Southeastern Conference schedule starts Saturday against No. 1 Tennessee. Here’s some of HawgBeat’s takeaways from Monday’s win…
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