Jacksonville – The family of James O. Holloway Sr., an 85‑year‑old man with dementia who drowned after falling into a retention pond at the Marcis Pointe Apartments, has filed a lawsuit against the property’s manager, Wendover Management LLC. The suit, filed by attorney Adam Finkel on behalf of Holloway’s children, LaTonya Stewart and Darrin Holloway, claims the complex neglected basic safety standards.
Allegations of Negligence
The complaint asserts that the pond’s shoreline slope was not maintained in compliance with mandatory maintenance strictures, and that the complex failed to fence or otherwise restrict public access. According to the filing, Holloway was “cajoled” toward the slope, could not escape the water, and ultimately drowned on the afternoon of March 21, after police had begun a missing‑person search.
Background on the Incident
Holloway was reported missing on March 21 when he left his unit at 6734 103rd St. around 6 p.m. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office noted he could walk but moved very slowly. Later that day, officers discovered his body in one of the three retention ponds on the property.
City Response and Ongoing Safety Concerns
The tragedy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Jacksonville’s retention ponds. Earlier this month, a 7‑year‑old child drowned in a pond near Broward Road, and a 3‑year‑old child died after falling into a pond at the Waterside Townhomes at River City. Both children were reported to have autism.
In response, City Council member Reggie Gaffney Jr. held a town meeting in late August to gather community input on pond safety. Council President Nick Howland subsequently established a special committee to research retention‑pond risks and recommend safety measures. The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on September 9 at City Hall.
Legal and Community Implications
Wendover Management and the Marcis Pointe Apartments have not yet commented on the lawsuit. If the court finds the complex liable, the case could set a precedent for how residential communities in Jacksonville and across Florida address pond safety, especially for vulnerable residents such as seniors with dementia.
Local officials and residents alike are urging swift action to prevent further tragedies. The city’s special committee is expected to review maintenance protocols, fencing requirements, and resident‑notification procedures, aiming to protect families and uphold community safety.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
