Unconscious 1-Year-Old Left Unattended In Kiddie Pool Saved By Norwalk Police Officer, Mother Charged: PD

NORWALK, CT — An unconscious 1-year-old child was saved by a Norwalk police officer after being left unattended in a kiddie pool last month, and the child's mother was arrested this week, according to police.

In a news release, Police Sgt. Ryan Evarts said the department received a report of an unresponsive 1-year-old child at a Vollmer Avenue home on July 12.

Police Officer Daniel Vazquez soon arrived at the home, where he was met by family members and immediately handed the child, who was unconscious, limp and not breathing, according to Evarts.

Vazquez quickly performed life-saving measures, including turning the child onto his stomach, holding the child at a downward angle and delivering firm back blows, Evarts said.

The child soon began to vomit water, clear the airway and gasp for air, then within moments regained consciousness and began to cry, according to Evarts.

Norwalk fire and emergency medical services crews then arrived at the home and provided further treatment before taking the child to Norwalk Hospital, where he made a full recovery, Evarts said.

A joint investigation conducted by police and the Department of Children and Families determined the child had been left unattended in a small kiddie pool along with another child at the time of the incident, according to Evarts.

An arrest warrant was issued for the child's mother, Carla Sanchez, 26, of Norwalk, as a result of the investigation, according to Evarts.

Sanchez turned herself in at the Norwalk Police Department on Tuesday and was charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Her bond was set at $50,000 and she is scheduled to appear in court next month, according to Evarts.