Criminal Charges Could Be Filed Against Guardians Of Drowned Toddler

Police will recommend that criminal charges be filed against at least one of the guardians of an Indio toddler who was allegedly left unsupervised and drowned in a family pool, a police spokesman said today.

The 2-year-old girl died Saturday evening when she fell into a swimming pool at a home in the 45000 block of Palm Meadows Drive.

Indio Police Department spokesman Ben Guitron said investigators will recommend to the District Attorney’s Office that at least one of the child’s guardians be charged, possibly with child neglect or endangerment.

Guitron did not provide specifics about why investigators were recommending criminal charges. He also did not provide the names of the girl’s guardians, or the name of the girl.

The child went into cardiac arrest at 5:45 p.m. Saturday after falling into the swimming pool, police said. She was rushed to JFK Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m., according to a county coroner’s report.

Another 2-year-old girl fell into a swimming pool at about the same time in Moreno Valley. She was hospitalized in critical condition.

“Please be diligent while children are playing around the pool and always ensure adult supervision is provided,” Riverside County sheriff’s Deputy Albert Martinez said.