A candidate for the Colorado State Senate was arrested in the Florida Keys after authorities said his young daughter nearly drowned while he briefly left his children unattended at a hotel pool.
According to police in Key West, officers responded shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday to a report of a child in distress at a hotel on Front Street, where CPR was already underway.
Court records state that emergency responders arrived to find the girl being treated, while her parents were not present for several minutes after the initial 911 call. A witness told police that the child had been unconscious and foaming at the mouth when she was pulled from the water, prompting immediate lifesaving efforts.
The father, identified as Frederick Alfred, 38, of Commerce City, later returned to the scene holding an alcoholic drink, according to investigators. He allegedly told officers he had left his two children alone near a hot tub for about five minutes while he went to get a beverage.
Police said Alfred initially refused to allow his children to be taken to the hospital, despite warnings from first responders about potential delayed complications. He later agreed after further discussion.
Investigators also learned that the girl’s 6-year-old brother had tried to rescue her but was unable to do so, eventually seeking help from a nearby adult who intervened and performed CPR.
Authorities noted a strong odor of alcohol when Alfred was taken into custody. He was transported to the Monroe County Detention Center and is facing two felony counts of child neglect.
Both children were taken to Lower Keys Medical Center for evaluation, and the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified.
Alfred is currently running as a Republican candidate for the state senate. As of now, he has not publicly commented on the incident.