Teen camp counselor drowns at California YMCA. His family wants to know how

Dozens of protesters gathered outside a YMCA in California to demand answers after a teen drowned this summer, media outlets reported.

Colin Jacobs, a 19-year-old counselor, drowned at a YMCA in La Cañada Flintridge on July 1, KTLA5 reported. Protesters demanded answers on Monday in support of Jacobs’ family and friends, according to the station.

Protesters held signs reading “Colin trusted the YMCA” and “What is the YMCA hiding,” according to KTLA5.

Philip Jacobs, Colin’s father, told the Pasadena Star-News that the YMCA hasn’t been transparent about his son’s death.

“We are looking for answers and awareness,” he told the publication. “The family would like for the community to know what happened. We want to make sure this doesn’t happen to another counselor or camper.”

YMCA CEO Vince Iuculano told the Pasadena Star-News: “We respect the family’s desire to peaceably protest and I can tell you that the YMCA of the Foothills continues to mourn the loss of this beloved employee and is heartbroken for his family, his fellow staff, friends and the community who knew him.”

Jacobs’ family said the teen had a history of seizures but was on medication and had volunteered or worked at the YMCA for about a decade, according to CBS Los Angeles. They said they were notified about Jacobs’ death by a hospital and didn’t get information from the YMCA.

“He’s been involved with the Y for about nine years … and it seems like they just don’t care about his death, and we just don’t understand how they could let him down,” Colin’s sister Amber told the station.

This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Teen camp counselor drowns at California YMCA. His family wants to know how."