ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Nine Investigates uncovered a hidden danger at the bottom of local pools. Poorly maintained drains have enough suction to hold an adult underwater and are powerful enough to kill a child.

It’s been eight years, but Donna Bucy still can’t shake the image of her 10-year-old son, Jordan, trapped at the bottom of their Ocala Jacuzzi. His hand was lodged in a broken drain as the powerful suction held him under.

"I could hear sirens in the background I knew help was on the way. But it was too late," said Donna.

Jordan drowned and so have at least 35 other children who were trapped by pool drains in the last two decades. Safety experts say many other entrapments are underreported because rescuers classify them as accidental drownings. Just over a week ago a little girl got stuck in Miami.

"I couldn't take her out because her whole arm was in the suction hole," said Patsy Cozier.

Patsy was eventually able to free the child. She is now one of more than 100 children who have been seriously injured.

Sometimes the problem can be as simple as the drain cover. The Orange County Health Department cited 100 neighborhoods apartments and hotels for deficient drains this year. (see list)

Eyewitness News took a safety consultant underwater to see what was at the bottom of local pools. Ron Schroader looked at pools that had been cited for past drain violations. He was alarmed by what he was at the Days Inn on East Colonial Drive.

"It’s a hazard," said Schroader.

The drain cover was not secured. In fact, it could be pulled it right off. Schroader, who works with insurance companies, said without the cover, a child could easily get stuck

"The pool needs to be dealt with before anybody else gets in," said Schroader.

The manager agreed to close the pool. Schroader found more problems at the Hilton Garden Inn near the University of Central Florida.

"I wouldn’t let me granddaughter swim here," said Schroader.

County health departments do shut down pools for safety violations and a new law taking effect in December will require pools to buy new drain covers at a cost of about $50.00. Pool owners can also purchase drains with special release valves. (see drain types) Other than that, victims' relatives say the best thing is to simply warn your kids and watch them closely.

"Even though we teach our kids to swim they need to know the dangers of the drain," said Donna Bucy.

Experts say if you see any kinds of continuous swirl created by a drain you should keep your distance.