Board denies plaque for boy

The homeowners association board in Maineville, Ohio, rejected a proposal to install a memorial plaque for Kamronbek Abdakimov, a 10-year-old boy who drowned in a community pond in October. The board’s decision cites a need to treat memorial requests consistently across the neighborhood.

Abdakimov, who had autism and did not speak, was found in the pond on Hammerwood Court. He would have turned 11 days after the story was reported. Following his death, nearby residents placed toys and flowers on the ground next to the water to create a temporary memorial.

Neighbors asked the board for permission to mount a small plaque with Abdakimov's name on an existing bench by the pond. In an email sent to residents, the community manager explained that the board expressed concern about setting a precedent for individual memorials in shared spaces. The manager noted that residents have experienced other tragic losses in the past.

Merrick Reynolds, a neighbor, described the rejection as a complicated no instead of a simple yes. Reynolds said the incident shook the community, but residents rallied around the family despite language and cultural differences. He expressed pride in how neighbors reached out to support the family.

Another neighbor called the board's response callous and unfeeling. The neighbor compared the loss to their own 11-year-old daughter, saying it is hard to imagine what the family is going through.

As of now, the HOA board has not provided further comment on the decision. The makeshift memorial of toys and flowers remains at the pond, where neighbors continue to leave items to pay their respects.

The board is currently waiting for a response from the community regarding the final status of the memorial site.