Family of boy, 5, who drowned in Carl Crawford's pool, sue

Posted by Carisa Kissane on Friday, May 17, 2024

The mother of the five-year-old boy who drowned at the Houston-area home of retired MLB star Carl Crawford last month is now suing the former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder for $1 million, claiming he did not do enough to prevent the tragedy on May 16.

Kasen Hersi, 5, drowned on May 16 during a record release party being held by Crawford, who is now a music producer. A woman, 25-year-old Bethany Lartigue, also drowned that day while drying to save Hersi.

In a legal filing obtained by the Daily Mail, Kasen's mother Liban claims that Crawford 'failed to take reasonable and necessary steps to prevent Kasen Hersi from having access to the pool area.'

Kasen Hersi (pictured) drowned on May 16 during a record release party being held by Crawford, who is now a music producer. A woman, 25-year-old Bethany Lartigue, also drowned that day while drying to save Hersi

Kasen Hersi (pictured) drowned on May 16 during a record release party being held by Crawford, who is now a music producer. A woman, 25-year-old Bethany Lartigue, also drowned that day while drying to save Hersi

In a legal filing obtained by the Daily Mail, Kasen's mother Liban claims that Crawford 'failed to take reasonable and necessary steps to prevent Kasen Hersi from having access to the pool' Kasen Hersi

In a legal filing obtained by the Daily Mail, Kasen's mother Liban claims that Crawford 'failed to take reasonable and necessary steps to prevent Kasen Hersi from having access to the pool'

Carl Crawford, who previously played for the Dodgers, Rays and Red Sox, is being sued for $1million by the mother of Kasen Hersi, who drowned at his Houston-are mansion on May 16

Carl Crawford, who previously played for the Dodgers, Rays and Red Sox, is being sued for $1million by the mother of Kasen Hersi, who drowned at his Houston-are mansion on May 16 

'Kasen apparently left the house of Mr. Crawford to go the pool area,' the filing continued. 'He was located in the pool by another person [Lartigue] at the party who apparently went into the pool in an attempt to rescue Kasen.

'Mr. Crawford was aware that he was the owner of a very large pool which would be a possible danger to an unsupervised 5-year-old.'

Crawford, 38, released a statement after the tragedy.

'My Hearts (sic) Heavy,' Crawford wrote in an Instagram post.

Carl Crawford was recently arrested after his former girlfriend accused him of assaulting her during an argument over a man she dated

Carl Crawford was recently arrested after his former girlfriend accused him of assaulting her during an argument over a man she dated

'The tragic events that occurred at my home will be with me forever. I'm at a loss for words. I've struggled all week to manage my emotions and I keep thinking of the families of those who've passed and their grief, I know they have it the hardest,' Crawford continued.

'They are the first and last thing I think of these days. Please keep them in your prayers, I know they will always be in mine.'

This is the second $1 million lawsuit Crawford has faced this year. In March a rapper named Megan Thee Stallion sued him over the terms of her contract. 

More recently Crawford was arrested after his former girlfriend accused him of assaulting her during an argument over a man she had begun dating. 

An arrest affidavit filed June 3 by Houston police states that the ballplayer-turned-record producer went to the home of Gabriele Washington on May 8, produced a handgun from which he unloaded the ammunition in her presence, then demanded information on her latest dating relationship.

Washington told investigators Crawford pushed her to the floor, slammed her head against a wall and choked her after she told him that she had not had sex with the man she was dating.

'You are a f***ing liar,' Crawford allegedly told her while slamming her head into the wall. 

Bethany Lartigue, 25, drowned at Crawford's residence on May 16 while trying to save Hersi

Bethany Lartigue, 25, drowned at Crawford's residence on May 16 while trying to save Hersi

Crawford was said to have been hosting a small gathering of six at his home (pictured) that day

Crawford was said to have been hosting a small gathering of six at his home (pictured) that day

The boy was in the backyard pool (pictured under construction) when he started having trouble breathing, police said. That's when the woman jumped into the pool to try to save him.

The boy was in the backyard pool (pictured under construction) when he started having trouble breathing, police said. That's when the woman jumped into the pool to try to save him. 

At one point, Washington claims, Crawford began squeezing her neck and she felt as though she was about to pass out.

When her year-old daughter walked up, she distracted Crawford, who is the child's father, and Washington ran to call police. Crawford then fled but followed up with threatening cellphone texts to Washington, according to the affidavit.

Crawford allegedly left the gun at the scene.

He is free on $50,000 bond.

In March a rapper named Megan Thee Stallion (pictured) sued Carl Crawford over the terms of her record contract

In March a rapper named Megan Thee Stallion (pictured) sued Carl Crawford over the terms of her record contract

A message to his attorney, Rusty Hardin, seeking comment was not returned immediately. However, Hardin did tell TMZ that his client is innocent: 'We strongly deny the charges and the conduct he is alleged to have engaged in. He would never hurt a woman. He has no criminal history.'

According to court files obtained by the Daily Mail, Washington said that she and Crawford had dated for over two years before the couple split in February.

Washington told police her neck was in pain afterwards and said she felt as though she had a hole in her neck.

The incident happened in May, a week before the fatal drownings at his home.

Crawford, 38, is a Houston native and was a four-time All-Star outfielder who last played in the major leagues in 2016 with the Dodgers.

He was a high school star set to attend Nebraska for football. He instead chose baseball and played for Tampa Bay, Boston and the Dodgers.

Known for his speed, Crawford was a Gold Glove outfielder who led the American League four times in stolen bases and four times in triples.

He earned over $179 million during his 15-year MLB career, but was criticized by fans for failing to live up to the seven-year, $142 million he signed with the Red Sox in 2010.

Crawford was traded to Los Angeles in 2012 and ultimately retired after the 2016 season.

'The tragic events that occurred at my home will be with me forever. I'm at a loss for words. I've struggled all week to manage my emotions and I keep thinking of the families of those who've passed and their grief, I know they have it the hardest,' Crawford said on Instagram

'The tragic events that occurred at my home will be with me forever. I'm at a loss for words. I've struggled all week to manage my emotions and I keep thinking of the families of those who've passed and their grief, I know they have it the hardest,' Crawford said on Instagram 

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