Three North Texas Brothers Die After Falling Through Ice on Private Pond Near Bonham

FANNIN COUNTY, Texas — A North Texas family is mourning the deaths of three young brothers who drowned after falling through the ice on a frozen pond Monday, according to the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said the incident happened on a private pond off Rec Road #3, just outside Bonham, roughly 70 miles northeast of Dallas. The pond is located about 100 feet from the house where the family had been staying, separated by an embankment.

Authorities said multiple state and local agencies responded after receiving reports that three children had gone through the ice. The boys’ mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, told investigators she was outside with her children at the time and had warned them to stay away from the pond.

According to Hangaman, her youngest son attempted to slide or “ice skate” on the frozen surface before falling through. His two older brothers entered the water in an effort to rescue him.

Hangaman described a desperate attempt to reach her sons but said the ice continued to break beneath her. “There was three of them and only one of me,” she told CBS News Texas, explaining why she was unable to pull them to safety.

First responders and a nearby neighbor managed to pull the two older boys, ages 8 and 9, from the water. Life-saving efforts were performed before they were transported to a hospital, where both later died. The youngest child, age 6, was recovered after he did not resurface during the initial rescue.

While authorities did not release the children’s names, family members identified them as Howard Doss, 6; Kaleb Doss, 8; and EJ Doss, 9. All three were students in Bonham Independent School District.

Hangaman said she realized something was wrong when her daughter ran to her, screaming that the boys had gone into the water. She said the freezing temperatures quickly overwhelmed them.

“I tried to fight for my kids’ life,” Hangaman said. “I had to watch them struggle, and I couldn’t help them.”

She described her sons as energetic and loving, each with distinct personalities and dreams.

Bonham ISD announced that counselors would be available for students and staff as the community grieves the loss. In a statement to families, the district said it was “devastated by this unimaginable loss” and extended condolences to everyone affected.

A neighbor who heard the calls for help ran to the scene and assisted in the rescue effort. Hangaman said she was pulled from the water with the help of a rope and believes she may not have survived without that assistance.

The neighbor was later identified as Bonham ISD Athletic Director and head football coach John Ramsey. He declined interviews but released a written statement emphasizing support for the grieving family.

“Right now, all focus should be on supporting a family that is suffering unimaginable loss,” Ramsey said, adding that he simply responded after hearing someone call for help and did what anyone nearby would hope to do.

As funeral arrangements are made, Hangaman said she hopes her family’s tragedy serves as a warning to others.

“It can happen to you,” she said. “Hold your kids tight and always tell them you love them.”

A GoFundMe has been created to help the family cover funeral expenses. The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing, and no information has been released regarding potential charges.