Charles M Sims

MIAMI — A soldier from Miami drowned in a Baghdad swimming pool during his recreation time, his mother said.

Pfc. Charles M. Sims, 18, drowned on Friday, the Department of Defense said Sunday. Sims was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company in Fort Stewart, Ga. The death is under investigation, military officials said.

Sims’ mother, Andreta Horne-Hester, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that her son began having problems when a piece of candy lodged in his throat.

“He was in a pool, and he panicked and went under, and he was choking. When they cleared his airway, it was too late,” Horne-Hester said.

She said her son, a graduate of...