Spokane Valley Deputy Responds to Drowning of 2-Year-Old

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Spokane Valley Deputy Responds to Drowning of 2-Year-Old

Spokane Valley Deputy Samuel Turner is credited for assisting in the successful resuscitation of a 2-year-old who had fallen into a decorative pond and was not breathing.  Deputy Turner arrived within 3 minutes and took over care from the child’s father, who had begun CPR immediately.  When Deputy Turner transferred the care of the child to Spokane Valley Fire Personnel, she had begun to breathe on her own.   

Last night, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies and Spokane Valley Fire responded to a residence in the 11100 block of East 10th Avenue for a call of a child who had fallen into a pool (decorative pond), was not breathing and the child’s father had begun CPR.

Deputy Turner arrived within 3 minutes and began to care for the child who was completely limp, not breathing and beginning to turn blue.  As Deputy Turner worked to revive the child, he was able to expel water from the child’s mouth while providing chest compressions.  When he transferred the child’s care to Spokane Valley Fire Personnel, she had begun to breathe on her own.  Fire, with advanced life support training and equipment, continued lifesaving efforts, eventually regaining a pulse.

The child was transported to a local hospital and, as of this morning, is listed in serious condition.

Deputies learned the child was being supervised in the backyard but was left unattended for a couple minutes while the other children at the location were checked on.  She was found, not breathing, in a decorative pond and CPR was immediately provided while 911 was called.

Life threatening incidents like this can happen very quickly and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, “drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. In fact, drowning kills more children 1-4 than anything else except birth defects.” https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/drowning/

This incident could have had a very tragic ending if the child’s father hadn’t immediately began CPR, coupled with the quick response and actions of Deputy Turner and the advanced life support and care provided by Spokane Valley Fire Personnel.

Accidental drownings can happen in a bathtub or anywhere, even in an inch or two of water, if a parent or guardian happens to be distracted.  As summer approaches, please be mindful and take precautions to help ensure your child’s safety around potential water dangers, even kiddie pools.

Deputy Mark Gregory

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer

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