SEARSPORT, Maine — A family in Searsport is grieving the death of their youngest member.
Maine State Police said four-year-old Kamdyn Servisky drowned in a pond located at the Pine Grove Apartment complex. Police added that his death was an accident.
Servinsky, who is on the autistic spectrum, had just celebrated his fourth birthday on Aug. 30. Just about two months later, his family is dealing with planning his funeral.
His mother, Taylor Servinsky, said he loved playing with his toys.
Kamdyn loved playing with his favorite truck he’s had since he was a baby, and he was equally fascinated with train sets.
“He would get right down to the table, and he would, like, bend his ear down and hear the vibrations and watch the wheels go around,” Taylor Servinsky said.
Kamdym's grandmother, Brenda Ritchie, also known as Moo-Moo, was an integral part of Kamdyn’s life. She watched him a lot while Kamdyn's parents were at work.
“He was always here. He always loved to spend time with his Moo-Moo,” she said.
It was his grandmother who taught little Kamdyn the signature ‘Eskimo kiss’.
That special kiss was reserved for his mother.
“He would just rub his nose, or take his hand and rub it on your nose,” Ritchie said.
On Oct. 4, Kamdyn’s dad had gone deer hunting and had tagged a deer to go get it cut up. Ritchie, who would normally keep Kamdyn, was at the Fryeburg Fair. It was a rarity for her to travel without him.
When Taylor Servinksy and Ritchie got the call from the babysitter, their worst fear surfaced.
“It doesn't seem real. Like I keep thinking that I'm going to wake up, but it doesn't happen,” Taylor Servinsky said.
Kamdyn's parents got a call from a babysitter, Barbara Pandelley. Pandelley was a longtime friend of the family and a former neighbor who had lived above them at the Pine Grove apartments.
She had lost sight of Kamydn. Taylor Servinsky said her first instinct was to ask: “Did you look near the water?"
“We tried to get there as fast as we could,” the mother said.
Taylor, and Kamdyn’s dad, Tyson Servinsky, mobilized immediately to get to Pine Grove apartments where their little boy was. Emergency crews also responded.
“I mean, his dad is the one that ended up going in and getting him out," Taylor explained.
A neighbor also jumped in to pull little Kamdyn out of the pond. Their efforts proved futile.
“If we had gotten there sooner, maybe,” Taylor Servinsky said.
Responders could not resuscitate Kamydn.
“I really just think he was just thinking, 'Going to go have fun. He's going to go and swim,'” the mother said.
The family continues to grapple with the loss. They are planning a celebration of Kamdyn’s life for Saturday.
The family said that the celebration of life is open to the community.
The family is also seeking to establish a foundation in Kandyn’s honor. It would support children with autism by giving special kids like Kamdyn one-on-one swimming lessons and other sports training.