14-year-old boy and his mom drown as she tries to save him, NC cops say
A 14-year-old boy and his mom drowned as she tried to save him in North Carolina, deputies said.
The family was visiting Bertie Beach when the teen’s 11-year-old sister saw him struggling in the water Tuesday, July 8, according to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.
“Her and her mother were floating on an inflatable floater, while her brother was swimming,” deputies wrote in a news release. “She advised that her brother could no longer feel the bottom of the beach and became distressed.”
The mom tried to help her son, but she also started struggling in the water. Their bodies were found about 150 yards from the beach, deputies said.
The mother and son were identified as 35-year-old Shaunna Jernigan and 14-year-old Timothy Jernigan, both of Colerain.
Beachgoers saved the 11-year-old girl, who also was found more than 100 yards from shore. An off-duty EMS worker and other first responders helped with rescue and recovery efforts, according to the sheriff’s office.
“During this time of profound sorrow, we stand in solidarity with our neighbors and friends as they grieve this tragic loss,” the Edenton Police Department wrote July 8 on Facebook. “To the brave first responders of Bertie County — your courage and dedication in the face of such heartbreaking circumstances do not go unnoticed.”
Bertie Beach is in Merry Hill, a roughly 130-mile drive east from Raleigh. The sandy destination lies “right on the banks of where the Chowan River meets the Albemarle Sound,” the nearby town of Windsor wrote on its website.
Drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 11:48 AM with the headline "14-year-old boy and his mom drown as she tries to save him, NC cops say."
