A Russell County toddler was found unresponsive in a neighbor's swimming pool on Sunday evening and later pronounced dead at Russell County Hospital, according to Russell County Coroner Larry Skaggs.

According to Skaggs, 4-year-old Justice A. LeClercq was found in the pool on Desert Storm Rd. near Jericho Rd. around 6:30 p.m. Sunday night.

LeClercq had been playing with several other children in the area before becoming separated from the group, according Skaggs.

After a short time had passed, the victims' stepfather, Walter "Buddy" Russell discovered the child was missing.

Some neighbors and family members found LeClercq in a nearby pool unresponsive, according to a KSP press release.

Russell and others performed a "futile attempt" at CPR while heading to the Russell County Hospital with the toddler, he said.

Skaggs said the vehicle was met by ambulance on East Hwy. 80 with emergency personnel continuing CPR.

The combined efforts to resuscitate LeClercq proved unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the emergency room around 7:25 p.m., Skaggs said.

Skaggs called the incident a "freak" accident and said he suspected the child climbed over the side of the pool as all other entrances to the pool were closed.

Kentucky State Police Detective B.J. Burton is investigating the drowning.