A grieving father has paid tribute to his six-year-old son who drowned in a backyard swimming pool by tattooing a poignant portrait of the boy on his leg.
Andrew Pearman, 35, had been playing in the backyard with his son, Sage, at their home in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, on January 11.
The father needed to go inside momentarily to check on his nine-year-old son, but when he returned around 3:10 p.m., Sage was gone.
The boy, who had autism and was nonverbal and had limited communication skills, loved to hide but also loved open spaces.
Sage never responded when his name was called.
Sage Pearman, 6, (pictured) drowned in a neighbor’s pool after leaving her backyard in January.
Newcastle tattoo artist Pat Thompson donated his services to the family and, according to Pearman, captured “the essence of our son.”
“We rent a big property, but it takes us about five minutes to check everything,” Pearman told Daily Mail Australia at the time.
After police responded to the scene, Sage was found 20 minutes later in a neighbor’s backyard pool, just 50 meters from his backyard, but could not be revived.
Pearman took to Instagram on Monday to reveal the tattoo and thank tattoo artist Pat Thompson for donating his services.
“The beautiful realistic portrait of our beloved son that now adorns my leg is a testament to his extraordinary talent and, more importantly, his compassionate heart,” she wrote.
“Their dedication to capturing the essence of our son has created a lasting tribute that we will always hold close to our hearts.”
Newcastle’s Twenty Twelve Tattoo Company owner and artist Pat Thompson told Daily Mail Australia he didn’t feel comfortable talking about his donation to the family.
“It was a father-to-father thing,” he said.
“I can’t even understand what they’re going through.
“I’m glad they’re happy with it.”
Pearman also wrote that he was grateful for the outpouring of support and donations from the community following the tragic incident.
Andrew Pearman is pictured with his partner, Lauren Moore, and two of their three children: Sage, left, and Braxton, right.
Andrew Pearman, pictured with his youngest son Sage, thanked everyone for their support and donations and called the acts of kindness “a beacon of light”.
‘In the midst of our deep sadness, your act, the messages and calls and actions of others, with kindness, have been a beacon of light, reminding us of the goodness that exists in this world,’ he said.
‘To all who have shown us kindness, whether through words, actions or silent support, please accept our sincere thanks.
“Your generosity has been a source of comfort during this incredibly difficult time.”
The father wrote that his family is still “coping” with their unimaginable loss, and their grief is compounded by the fact that Sage’s birthday was the same month he died.
“The love and support we have received from friends, family and even strangers have been lifelines that have helped us get through the storm of grief, fight loneliness, nightmares and the feeling of loss.”