A grieving father has paid tribute to his six-year-old son who drowned in a backyard pool by getting a touching portrait of the child tattooed on his leg.
Andrew Pearman, 35, had been playing in the backyard with his son, Sage, at their Lake Macquarie, NSW, home on January 11.
The father needed to go inside momentarily to check on his nine-year-old son, but when he returned about 3.10pm, Sage was gone.
The boy, who had autism and was non-verbal with 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 neighbour’s pool after leaving his backyard in January
Newcastle tattoo artist, Pat Thompson, donated his services to the family which Mr Pearman said captured ‘the essence of our son’
‘We rent a large property but it takes about five minutes to check everything,’ Mr Pearman told Daily Mail Australia at the time.
After police rushed to the scene, Sage was found 20 minutes later in a neighbour’s backyard pool – just 50m from his backyard – but he was unable to be resuscitated.
Mr Pearman took to Instagram on Monday to reveal the tattoo and to thank Tattoo artist Pat Thompson for donating his services.
‘The beautiful realism portrait of our beloved son that now graces my leg is a testament to your extraordinary talent and more importantly, your compassionate heart,’ he wrote.
‘Your dedication to capturing the essence of our son has created a lasting tribute that we will forever hold close to our hearts.’
Newcastle’s Twenty Twelve Tattoo Company owner and artist Pat Thompson told Daily Mail Australia he wasn’t comfortable talking about his donation to the family.
‘It was a father to father thing,’ he said.
‘I can’t even fathom what they’re going through.
‘I’m glad they’re happy with it.’
Mr Pearman also wrote he was thankful for the outpouring of community support and donations in the wake of the tragic incident.
Andrew Pearman is pictured with his partner, Lauren Moore, and two of their three sons – Sage, left, and Braxton, right
Andrew Pearman, pictured with his youngest son Sage, has thanked everyone for their support and donations, calling the acts of kindness ‘a beacon of light’
‘In the midst of our profound sadness, your act, the messages and calls and actions from others, with kindness, has been a beacon of light, reminding us of the goodness that exists in this world,’ he said.
‘To everyone who has shown us kindness, whether through words, actions, or silent support, please accept our heartfelt thanks.
‘Your generosity has been a source of solace during this incredibly difficult time.’
The father wrote that his family is still ‘coming to grips’ with their unimaginable loss, with their grief compounded by the fact Sage’s birthday was in the same month he died.
‘The love and support we’ve received from friends, families and even strangers have been lifelines that have helped us navigate through the storm of grief, battle the loneliness, the nightmares, the feeling of loss.’
