2-year-old nearly drowns in Putnam County

A 2-year-old is recovering after nearly drowning in his family’s pool.

Trista Harp said she came home from work and was instantly thrown into chaos when her neighbor ran over carrying a lifeless child in her arms.

"She was hysterical, she was absolutely hysterical and she was calling 911,” Harp said.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said the mother left her four children in her vehicle when she ran back inside and her 2-year-old son was found in the pool.

"She was soaking wet, so of course she jumped in the pool after him," said Harp.

(A woman who says she is the boy's mother sent the above photos to Action News Jax. She says the child is expected to be released from the hospital on Thursday and also said "thankful mom.")

The little boy was unresponsive, according to the sheriff’s office.

"She had the baby in her arms and he really wasn't responding. I'd say his name and he wouldn't respond and she laid him down on the ground and he kind of passed out," said Harp.

In that moment, Harp said her instincts kicked in and she started doing CPR.

"He started to whimper, but he wouldn't open his eyes when I would say his name," said Harp.

Officers said if it wasn’t for Harp taking action, the child might not be alive.

And for Harp, she said this was a first: "I’ve taken classes before and I just remembered what I did in those classes and just went for it."

The child was flown to UF Health in Gainesville and is in stable condition.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office,  the mother will not be charged.

Trending on ActionNewsJax.com:

• Police: Man kept human brain under porch, used it to get high
• Cross taken from man making cross-country pilgrimage
• Riverside restaurant closes without warning
• Local victim of Pulse shooting: scars prove shooting wasn't hoax
• Wrong-way traffic stop in Nassau County leads to child neglect arrest

Cox Media Group