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Toddlers remain in critical condition after falling into pool

The 14-month-olds have been transferred to the ICU

By Marissa Lang
Tampa Bay Times

The 14-month-old boys’ conditions worsened a day after falling into a pool.

Two toddlers who nearly drowned after falling into a pool Monday night have been transferred to the intensive care unit at All Children’s Hospital in critical condition, police said.

The boys, both 14 months old, are twins and wandered out of their family’s home, at 4052 38th Ave. N, when their grandmother failed to properly close a sliding glass door that led to the back yard, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

The grandmother, who had returned inside after smoking a cigarette in the yard, did not see the twins wander outside about 8:30 p.m., police said.

It didn’t take long for the boys’ parents to notice they were missing, police said. The mother and father told authorities the children were out of sight for about 10 minutes as they searched the interior of the house. Then they saw the open door.

Both boys were floating facedown. The father jumped into the pool and pulled the boys out as the mother and a great-aunt performed CPR until paramedics arrived, police said.

The children were taken to All Children’s Hospital, where they were described Monday night as being in good condition without life-threatening injuries. Police said their conditions worsened overnight.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office child protection investigators were called to investigate conditions inside the home. Police said 15 people live in the house, including several families with children ranging in age from 14 months to 14 years.

Family members who answered the door declined to comment Tuesday afternoon.

Police said preliminary information appeared to suggest the incident was an accident. An investigation remained active.

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