Community rallies behind Mastic Beach family after 2-year-old’s pool tragedy, raising $50K

The parents of a 2-year-old Mastic Beach girl who died days after a swimming pool tragedy are receiving an outpouring of community support, with a GoFundMe for the family exceeding $50,000 in donations.

Kaeleigh Polini was found floating unconscious in a backyard pool at her family’s home on Mill Drive about 5 p.m. on July 20, police said. A family member pulled her from the water and performed CPR until first responders arrived.

The toddler was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk in East Patchogue in critical condition before being transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she died six days later.

She was laid to rest on July 29 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Center Moriches.

The fundraiser describes Kaeleigh as a “beautiful, sweet little girl who brought so much joy to everyone who knew her,” and says she was “deeply loved by her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.”

“As Jesse and Kate face the overwhelming grief of losing their precious little girl, they are also carrying the unexpected financial burden while continuing to care for their three other children,” the fundraiser reads. “These costs came without warning during the most painful time imaginable.

“Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean more than words can express,” the fundraiser adds.

Last week on Facebook, Kaitlyn Polini shared heartbreaking and inspiring words about the love and boundless kindness and energy her daughter gifted her family and friends every day of her life.

“This loss is unimaginable — my heart is so heavy and shattered. The one question I keep getting asked is ‘Is there anything I can do for you?'” Katie Poliini said. “Yes, there is: Love like Kaeleigh. Laugh like Kaeleigh. Sing like Kaeleigh. Dance like Kaeleigh. Hug like Kaeleigh.

“Keep people on their toes like Kaeleigh. Don’t be afraid to say ‘No’ like Kaeleigh. Eat fruit snacks like Kaeleigh,” she continued. “Kaeleigh Jane may not be here physically, but let her love for everyone be a reminder to be kind to yourself, and to others.”

This was the second devastating loss for the family in recent years, after Jesse and Kaitlyn Polini’s infant son, Nicholas, a preemie who weighed less than a pound at birth, died in 2021 at 26 days old.

_{Top: Kaeleigh Polini, 2 (Facebook/Katie Germer Polini)}