Department of Fire and Rescue Recognizes Young Hero

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue has formally recognized a 9-year-old for her swift action and act of heroism at a Manassas pool this week.

"If not for her swift action, this turn of events could have been tragic due to the loss of life," said Prince William County fire and rescue public information specialist Kim Y. Hylander in a release. 

at the in Manassas. 

The near-drowning happened on Tuesday. Prince William County Fire and Rescue units said that upon arrival at the pool first responders found two lifeguards on the side of the pool attending to a 4-year-old girl who was crying. 

Responders were told that the 9-year-old girl saved the child. 

"The young lady had noticed the child at the bottom of the pool," said Prince William County fire and rescue public information specialist Kim Y. Hylander in a release. "At first glance, she thought the child was playing but soon realized she was not and pulled her from the bottom of the pool and over to the side at which time she alerted the lifeguards who began CPR."

Fire and rescue units proceeded in providing patient care and transferring the 4-year-old to the medic unit where she was transported to an area hospital for further treatment and recovery, said Hylander. 

Her children range in age from 1 to 8-years-old, according to police reports.

Police charged Naravez with three counts of child neglect in connection with her three youngest children being left unattended.  Police said they are the ones who needed the most supervision.

The two oldest children are a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl.

She was released on $5,000 unsecured bond.

including Westgate Community Pool, has conducted an investigation into the incident.