Mother Of Drowned Toddler Arrested For Neglect

The mother of a Moreno Valley toddler who suffered critical injuries when she fell into a swimming pool was arrested today on suspicion of child neglect, according to a sheriff’s detective.

The 2-year-old girl, whose name was withheld, was left unattended “for an undetermined period of time,” according to sheriff’s Sgt. David Knudson.

Sheriff’s Detective Duke Viveros confirmed the mother’s arrest, but did not provide the woman’s name because she was still in the process of being booked into the county jail at midday.

The toddler fell into a backyard swimming pool in the 11800 block of Ivy Lane at 5:52 p.m. Saturday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

She was taken to Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where she was listed in critical condition as of Monday night.

In a similar but unconnected case, Indio police announced Monday that they planned to recommend that criminal charges be filed in connection with a swimming pool tragedy that unfolded at nearly the same time, resulting in the death of a 2-year-old girl.

The child went into cardiac arrest about 5:45 p.m., after falling into a swimming pool at a home in the 45000 block of Palm Meadows Drive, police said. She was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m. at JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, according to the coroner’s office.

Indio police Cmdr. Ben Guitron said the department was considering recommending charges of child neglect and/or endangerment against at least one of the toddler’s guardians.

“Just be careful when you have family gatherings when you have a pool,” Guitron said. “That’s part of the responsibility when you have a pool.”