Live Like Jake

Live Like Jake Roarke and Keri Morrison dedicate this page to their son Jake Roarke who lost his life in a drowning accident on Nov 30, 2013 at 2 years and 10 months.
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A parent’s worse nightmare…
It was supposed to be a fun Thanksgiving weekend trip that started on Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Keri’s father’s house in Orlando where we ate lots of turkey and stuffing then stayed the night at a hotel on International Drive. We woke up and had a big breakfast at Denny’s with my dad and step mom. We were going to go play some mini golf but got stuck in serious tra

ffic on I-drive so we decided to skip it. We then headed over to New Smyrna Beach where Roarke’s sister Robin and her husband Jim live to finish off our Thanksgiving weekend. We woke up Saturday morning November 30, 2013 and had a great day. Robin and Jim went and got their beautiful Christmas tree and we just played with all of the kids. Then just after 6 pm the last words ANY parent ever wants to hear “where is Jake?” Keri was in the other room nursing our precious little daughter Julia who was 12 weeks old at the time when we heard those words that have forever changed our lives. Jake slipped out the back door in the pitch dark and fell off the dock into the intracoastal. There was so much screaming going on because we knew he was in there but it was so dark we couldn’t see anything. We have never felt so helpless in our entire life knowing that our baby needed us more than ever and we couldn’t save him. Roarke and Jim were going up and down the docks on the Jet Ski until finally Jim found Jake and the ambulance quickly took him to the hospital but they were not able to revive him. Roarke and I were in the room with him while they tried so hard to bring him back to us. We still can remember EVERY second so clearly and screaming for our baby to come back all the well knowing that he had gone straight to Heaven. I hope that no parent EVER has to go through what we have gone through and that is why we are so passionate about drowning prevention and also helping other families who have either lost a child or have a child that has had a near drowning and is in hospital care. We wanted to share our story because we know a lot of you only know that Jake drowned but didn’t know how and where. We do not own a pool and do not live on the water so we weren’t in a real hurry with the swim lessons although he did take lessons over the summer. He wasn’t really taking to it and we were just going to try again next year when he was a little older and more cooperative. Our situation is different than most drowning cases because it was not a pool so whether his life would have been spared if he had done ISR lessons we will never know and that still makes us so sad every day thinking of it. We beg of you if you have a child that does not know how to self-rescue and is over 6 months old please please please get them in lessons. Also when you are on vacation in a different environment please be aware of your surroundings at ALL times because it only takes a few seconds for them to sneak away. We have gone to Robin and Jim’s home countless times with Jake and although we were always nervous of the water and made him wear a life jacket while on the dock, we NEVER imagined he would go out there by himself especially at night. Thank you everyone for all of your prayers, love and support during this time. Please share this story with as many people as you can because if it saves just ONE life then we will know this is our purpose in life and why God chose us to carry out this mission and save other babies. Love you all! Keri and Roarke Morrison

Donations for the Live Like Jake Foundation can be made at livelikejake.com or checks can be sent to: Live Like Jake Foundation Inc 10311 Ironwood Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. Proceeds go to other families who have lost a loved one or have a child that is in critical care as well as provide scholarships for swim lessons to those who cannot afford them.

A heartbreaking trend continues across South Florida, with several recent drowning incidents serving as a reminder that ...
06/09/2026

A heartbreaking trend continues across South Florida, with several recent drowning incidents serving as a reminder that water safety can save lives.

Today on WPBF 25 News, we're taking a closer look at the recent drownings impacting our communities and sharing expert advice on how families can stay safe around pools, ponds, beaches, and waterways.

Tune in to WPBF 25 News today, June 9.

Water Safety Reminder for Families 💙At Live Like Jake, we are committed to helping families stay safe around water. Pers...
06/09/2026

Water Safety Reminder for Families 💙

At Live Like Jake, we are committed to helping families stay safe around water. Personal flotation devices have important limitations every caregiver should understand:

• They are only Coast Guard approved when used on a water vessel—not as a swimming aid.
• They are not designed to help children learn to swim.
• They can create a false sense of security for children who do not yet know how to swim.
• They often position a child vertically in the water, which is the position most associated with drowning risk.
• They are never a substitute for constant, active adult supervision.

Flotation devices are not babysitters—your child still needs your full attention anytime they are in or near water.

The best protection is skill. Teach your child to become their own flotation device through high-quality self-rescue swim lessons.

Live Like Jake encourages families to research and enroll early—water safety skills save lives.

While we are not hosting the Be the Light Gala this year, our mission continues — and the needs of families are greater ...
06/08/2026

While we are not hosting the Be the Light Gala this year, our mission continues — and the needs of families are greater than ever.

Through our Call to Heart campaign, we are focused on providing Critical Care Grants to families facing unimaginable challenges following a nonfatal drowning accident. These grants help cover life-changing therapies and treatments often not covered by insurance, including MNRI therapy, Hyperbaric Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy, Red Light Therapy, physical therapies, and other specialized care.

Last year, through our Call to Heart initiative, we were able to provide 22 families with $5,000 Critical Care Grants — helping ease financial burdens and giving families access to therapies and care that can make a life-changing difference. This year, with your support, we hope to do even more.

Every donation up to $50,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by an anonymous donor, doubling your impact and helping us provide hope, healing, and support to even more families during their most difficult moments.

Thank you for helping us continue Jake’s legacy and be a light for families who need it most.

43 children have already lost their lives to drowning in Florida this year — and tragically, 16 of those deaths occurred...
06/08/2026

43 children have already lost their lives to drowning in Florida this year — and tragically, 16 of those deaths occurred in May alone.

Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 in Florida, and these numbers are a heartbreaking reminder that water safety must be a year-round priority.

The most difficult part is knowing that these tragedies are preventable.

There is no single solution, which is why we must use multiple layers of protection:

Constant, undistracted adult supervision
Doors/Windows locked and alarmed
Remove pet doors
Pool fences with self-closing, self-latching gates
Quality Self-Rescue swim lessons
Designated Water Watchers
CPR training for parents and caregivers

Drowning is often silent and can happen in seconds. It doesn't only happen during summer vacations or pool parties. It can happen any day, in any season, to any family.

At Live Like Jake, we believe every child deserves the chance to learn life-saving water skills and every family deserves access to drowning prevention education.

As we head into the busy summer months, please take a moment to evaluate your own layers of protection and share this message with others. Together, we can save lives.

One child is too many. Forty-three is unacceptable.

As summer begins and children head home from daycare, water safety becomes critical for families. Live Like Jake recentl...
06/08/2026

As summer begins and children head home from daycare, water safety becomes critical for families. Live Like Jake recently delivered water safety awareness packets to 12 additional daycares across South Florida ahead of summer break, helping more families access lifesaving drowning prevention information at a key time of year.

We’re grateful to our daycare partners for helping share this message. With children spending more time around pools, beaches, and waterways, awareness and preparation can save lives.

Did you know drowning is often silent?Many people expect to hear splashing or cries for help, but drowning can happen qu...
06/06/2026

Did you know drowning is often silent?

Many people expect to hear splashing or cries for help, but drowning can happen quickly and quietly.

At Live Like Jake, we work to educate families about drowning prevention and water safety. As summer continues, remember that active supervision, a designated Water Watcher, and quality swim lessons can help save lives.

Strong skills. Growing confidence. Safer kids.This Live Like Jake scholarship recipient is learning ISR Self-Rescue skil...
06/05/2026

Strong skills. Growing confidence. Safer kids.

This Live Like Jake scholarship recipient is learning ISR Self-Rescue skills that help children become safer around the water. Seeing his progress is a reminder of why these lessons are so important.

Thank you to certified ISR instructor Gabrielle Kredel for making a lasting impact through your dedication to teaching life-saving skills.



www.livelikejake.com
www.infantswim.com

🪽 Today, we pause to honor and remember Tylon.Tylon’s life, though far too short, is forever wrapped in love. The bond s...
06/05/2026

🪽 Today, we pause to honor and remember Tylon.

Tylon’s life, though far too short, is forever wrapped in love. The bond shared, the memories held close, and the love that continues to live on speak to a life that will always matter. On this Angelversary, we say Tylon’s name with intention and hold space for a child who is deeply loved and endlessly missed.

To Cassandra Johnson: Your child is remembered today and always. Your love, your grief, and your journey are seen, and you are not alone as you carry them.

At Live Like Jake, we will continue to honor children like Tylon by remembering them, speaking their names, and keeping their light alive through love.

Tylon is not forgotten!

🪽 Today, we pause to honor and remember Kairo.Kairo’s life, though far too short, is forever wrapped in love. The bond s...
06/05/2026

🪽 Today, we pause to honor and remember Kairo.

Kairo’s life, though far too short, is forever wrapped in love. The bond shared, the memories held close, and the love that continues to live on speak to a life that will always matter. On this Angelversary, we say Kairo’s name with intention and hold space for a child who is deeply loved and endlessly missed.

To Nick and Melissa Klaasen: Your child is remembered today and always. Your love, your grief, and your journey are seen, and you are not alone as you carry them.

At Live Like Jake, we will continue to honor children like Kairo by remembering them, speaking their names, and keeping their light alive through love.

Kairo is not forgotten!

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10311 Ironwood Road
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
33410

Telephone

+15613164924

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