Putnam County toddler back home, smiling after near-drowning

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Less than 24 hours after he was found unresponsive in a pool, a local toddler is back home and smiling.

It's a happy end to a nerve-wracking 24 hours for the Putnam County family.

Almost every parent has found themselves in this situation: his mom turned around for just a moment. Then, she found him in the pool.

Brittany Williams said she went to her truck, then into the house and looked down when she realized little JJ wasn’t next to her.

"I’m like, 'where's JJ?' and the kids were like, 'we thought he was inside with you.' And instantly I thought 'oh my God, the pool,'" Williams said.

Within seconds, Williams said her 21-month-old was out of sight.

"And there he was in the middle of the pool and all you could see was this much sticking out -- just his mouth, his nose and eyes," Williams said.

Then instinct kicked in.

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"I just lunged in. Everything I had, just the kids' shoes, the clothes, charger, just everything I had went in with me and I snatched him out," Williams said.

But Williams said he wasn’t breathing.

"He started bobbing his head like a newborn and I was like 'oh my God he's fixing to go out, his lips are turning this grayish blue color,'" Williams said.

Williams said she called 911 and in the meantime she said she screamed for her neighbor’s help.

Action News Jax spoke to the neighbor Wednesday and she said it was the first time she performed CPR.

"I couldn't help him. I was helpless and if it wasn't for her, he would be dead," Williams said.

JJ was flown to UF Health in Gainesville, and less than 24 hours later, he was back at home.

"Cherish your kids, because it could end," Williams said.

Adding to all the emotion, Williams said it was also her daughter’s 12th birthday Wednesday.

Williams said there are signs of damage to JJ’s lungs, but nothing serious.

Doctors will continue to monitor him for fluid accumulation in his lungs.

Cox Media Group