West Palm Beach Toddler in Critical Condition After Near-Drowning in Apartment Complex Lake

A near tragedy unfolded in West Palm Beach when a toddler was discovered almost lifeless in a lake at Fairway Vista Apartments. The 22-month-old boy was found submerged in a lake by his mother Wednesday morning and is now hospitalized in critical condition, according to West Palm Beach Police Department.

Police responded to the incident at around 10:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of Brandywine Road, after the toddler's mother noticed her son missing. As reported by WPTV, the mother had briefly gone to the bathroom, and upon returning found that her child had ventured out through a screened sliding door and into danger.

Upon discovering her son in the lake, the mother pulled the child from the water. Initially, the boy was not breathing and did not have a pulse, but paramedics were able to restore his heartbeat at the scene. According to CBS12, the child has since shown signs of brain activity and has opened his eyes, a promising sign amid the critical circumstances.

Mike Jachles, a spokesperson for the WPBPD, stated, "During a 3 p.m. news conference the 22-month-old child has opened his eyes, has a gag reflex and is also showing signs of brain activity after nearly drowning at an apartment complex near Brandywine Road" and was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach in 'critical condition.'

Investigations are ongoing by the Department of Children and Family Services to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this near-fatal accident. Residents of the apartment complex expressed their concern, Maternst Isoff revealing to WPTV his alarm over the proximity of children to the water's edge in an area known to harbor alligators.