Carla Sanchez

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

A police officer is being credited with saving the life of a 1-year-old who nearly drowned in a backyard pool, while the child’s mother now faces charges, authorities said.

Carla Sanchez, 26, of Norwalk, was arrested and charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor after investigators said she left the infant and another child unattended in a kiddie pool.

Norwalk Police Officer Daniel Vazquez was called to a Vollmer Avenue residence on July 12 for reports of an unresponsive child. When he arrived, Sanchez handed him the child, who was “unconscious, limp, and not breathing," authorities said.

Vazquez immediately performed life-saving measures. Within moments, the child vomited water, cleared the airway, and gasped for air, police said.

Paramedics took the child to Norwalk Hospital, where the infant made a full recovery.

The Department of Children and Families and Norwalk police investigated and determined that Sanchez had left the infant and another child in the pool without supervision. Officials did not say how long the children were allegedly left unattended.

Sanchez was released after posting a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 9, authorities said.

Officer Vazquez was later named Norwalk Police Officer of the Month for July because of his quick thinking to save the child's life.