'Boy Hero,' 10, Helped Save Drowning 3-Year-Old in Sarasota Pool

Sarasota Police are crediting a 10-year-old "boy hero" with helping to save the life of a drowning 3-year-old girl last month.

Alexander Castanon was swimming in his apartment complex pool at Signal Pointe Circle along with a 3-year-old neighbor, Natalee, and her adult guardian on April 20.

According to police, the adult jumped out of the pool when a fire started in a grill nearby. It was then when Castanon noticed Natalee, who was wearing a flotation ring, was floating face down in the water.

Castanon quickly pulled the girl to safety and yelled for help. The adult ran over and began CPR, and Natalee began breathing on her own. She was transported to the hospital and is "doing just fine now, thanks to Alexander Castanon's quick response," Officer Linda DeNiro, police spokesperson, said in a media release Wednesday.

"The Sarasota Police Department applauds Alexander Castanon for his heroism," DeNiro said.

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