NEWARK, Ohio — A 2-year-old boy from Newark is recovering at home after nearly drowning in the family's pool last week.
First responders received a call on May 31 about a child that was found in a pool not breathing. It's a call Newark police officers say instantly put a knot in their stomach. They say they are thankful they were able to respond so quickly.
“There is a fence with a gate and everything around the pool. Somehow he got that gate open and fell into the pool,” said Newark police officer Derrick Beach.
The family had just gotten home when Waylon, the 2-year-old, walked through the garage, out to the pool and fell in.
"Mom, at some point, found him. She let out a scream that dad heard all the way across the street. He told me, when I heard the scream I knew something was wrong. He said it was a bone-chilling scream that I have never heard before,” Beach said.
Officers Brandon Shepherd and Amanda Angles were just down the street when they got the call for help.
“It hits home, especially having a 2-year-old myself. It's definitely a 'What would you do in that situation if it was your own child?' It's not a call any first responder wants to get,” Shepherd said.
The officers rushed to the house where Waylon's dad was already doing CPR on the toddler.
“He was changing color and you could tell it was not a good situation,” Beach said.
The officers helped dad try and clear Waylon's lungs and continued CPR until Newark firefighters arrived just a couple minutes later. They rushed him to Licking Memorial Hospital. The boy was then flown to Nationwide Children's.
“It hits you. We are all human. We have feelings,” Beach said.
With everyone acting so quickly, Waylon was released from the hospital Sunday and was given a hero's welcome home including a ride in the firetruck.
“Yes, we were there so quickly, but Waylon's dad is the true hero,” Beach said.
Waylon's dad said he is grateful he was trained on how to do CPR and urges all parents to get the same training.
You can find more information on CPR classes here.
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